By Vanessa Richins

My favorite birds are hummingbirds.

These tiny, vibrant creatures can bring a smile in an instant.

I love their natural curiosity and how they are able to appear motionless. Besides a hummingbird feeder, there are many plants that will attract them. Here are a few of my favorites.

1) Sunset Hyssop (Agastache rupestris)

All of the hyssops that have pink or orange flowers attract hummingbirds, but my favorite is Sunset hyssop. These flowers are a brilliant mixture of orange, purple and pink. When I worked at a water conservation garden, I loved pruning by this plant. The hummingbirds were always nearby, sparring. Sometimes they would zip right near my head to see what I was doing. This plant has a splendid scent – described as licorice or root beer. Once it is established, it is drought resistant

2) Hummingbird Trumpet (Zauschneria spp)

These trumpet-shaped flowers come Read the rest of this entry »

By Cindy Naas

There is a rapidly growing movement amongst gardeners to try and create more spaces for wildlife.

Whether you plant an entire garden designed to attract and feed wildlife or whether you add a few plants which can provide food for birds, this is a wonderful project for even the smallest garden.

Watching birds and butterflies decorate your garden is rewarding and fun.

Why Do We Need More Wildlife Habitat?

Habitat destruction is one of the main causes of vanishing species of songbirds, frogs etc. Even if there is a small nature preserve near your home, chances are there isn’t enough room for wildlife to roam in search of food, shelter and new mates. Adding a wildlife habitat garden creates wildlife corridors, connecting green areas with safe places for wildlife to stop and eat and rest. Read the rest of this entry »