Green Fences Make Good Neighbors  

     Plants are amazing. They provide us food, give us shade from the hot sun, make lovely flowers to look at, and remind us of the glories of nature. However, they can also give a sense of separation from constantly yelling neighbors, block views of skimpily clad people in hot tubs, hide endless automobile restoration projects, keep sullen teenagers from walking on your newly planted lawn, and more things than Mother Nature ever intended.

     For this month's newsletter I thought I would list our "go-to" evergreen hedge plants, ones that are easy to take care of, do well in our environment and grow quickly. There are many plants you could use, but the following are my top 5 picks in alphabetical order.

Eleagnus x ebbingei - Silverberry Eleagnus

This plant thrives in full sun, very quickly reaches 8-10' tall and wide, and does not mind heat, drought and salt once it gets established. The foliage has a cooling silver color and hides the late fall-blooming, ivory colored flowers from sight, but does not hide them from your nose, as they are sweetly fragrant. The flowers will form into fruits that initially resemble a small olive, but ripen to red in late winter providing a welcome food source for birds. The only negative to this plant would be its occasional wild, long branches that resent being kept neat and tidy.

Ilex cornuta 'Burfordii' and 'Burfordii Nana' - Burford and Dwarf Burford Holly

These Chinese hollies are large and small versions of the same plant. Both are round with glossy green foliage and have heavy sets of attractive red berries in the late fall and winter. Burford will reach about 12' tall and wide, while dwarf Burford stays half that size. They do well in full sun to light shade and respond well to pruning. Though they are tolerant of the occasional drought, they will be happier with consistent moisture.

Ligustrum lucidum - Waxleaf Ligustrum and Ligustrum japonicum - Japanese Privet

These two species are often confused, but they both make great hedges. The main difference is size, L. lucidum can get over 20' tall, while L. japonicum will only get about half that size. Both have glossy dark green foliage, and in May are covered with clusters of white flowers that some say have a less-than-pleasant odor. These plants will grow in full sun to nearly heavy shade, are tolerant of salt and the occasional drought, and they prune well.  They can also be limbed up into small trees. Though the large clusters of black fruit are attractive and favored by some birds, the seeds are very fertile and can often come up in places you rather they didn't.

Myrica cerifera - Southern Wax Myrtle

Wax myrtle is the only plant on this list that is native to southeastern Virginia and coastal Carolina. Though it does just fine in normal garden settings, this plant can also tolerate poor soil and standing water, be it fresh or brackish. Wax myrtle will reach 10-15' tall and wide, but can be kept clipped shorter. You can also remove its lower limbs and grow it as a small tree. It prefers full sun to partial shade. The female plants produce small gray fruits that birds appreciate. In severe winters it can defoliate, but it comes back quickly in the spring.

Viburnum awabuki 'Chindo' - Chindo Viburnum

The Chindo viburnum grows quickly to 12-15' tall by 8-10' wide and has beautiful, lustrous dark green foliage. It is perhaps one of the most flexible hedge plants available, being able to withstand a lot of sun, a good deal of shade and occasional salt. Chindos respond to pruning well, or they can be left on their own. Occasionally they will produce large clusters of white flowers and red fruit, but I wouldn't count on these as an asset, just enjoy them when they appear. In very cold winters the exposed tops of Chindos may defoliate, but they come back easily in the spring.

Les Parks

Attracting Hummingbirds to Your Garden

     Everyone loves the sight of tiny fluttering hummingbirds, and it is very easy to attract them to your garden. Hummers get their energy from natural nectars and sugar water, and you can attract them by making sure they have plenty of each. We carry both the traditional red food and the clear one without dye. Hummingbirds are attracted to hummingbird feeders by the bright red or yellow colors. They don't prefer any one type of feeder so choose one that is easy to keep clean, looks good to you and has a perch, as hummingbirds like to rest every now and then.

Ruby throated hummingbirds are the only hummingbird species to regularly visit this area.

     After selecting a feeder, finding its right place should be your next concern. Hummingbirds will find the new feeder quicker if it's placed near plants they are attracted to. Some sources suggest tying red ribbons on nearby shrubs and trees until they discover the new feeder.  You may not want to locate your feeder too close to windows for fear that the little birds might run into the glass.

     The most important thing about your feeder is not what type of food you use (store bought or homemade) but keeping it filled and clean. The food can go moldy or bacteria can set in very quickly especially when the weather gets hot. While the hummers won't eat the spoiled food, they will likely not return. Be sure to clean the feeder between every fill. Use hot water and a bottle brush, but not soap. If your feeder is moldy, use a bleach/water soak. You will know when the food spoils as the nectar will be cloudy.

     One good way to enjoy the company of hummingbirds is by planting a hummingbird garden. In addition to providing them a natural diet, a hummer garden is an excellent way to attract the birds to your nearby feeder since hummingbirds feed by sight on regularly-followed routes. If you plan carefully and select a variety of plants that flower at successively later dates, you will be rewarded with happy hummers throughout the season. Avoid pesticide use around hummingbird plants, since killing garden pests will also eliminate the small insects hummingbirds rely upon for protein. Also, if the hummers ingest pesticides sprayed onto flowers, it could sicken or kill them.

Below are just a few of the plants that attract hummingbirds:

Shrubs

- Azaleas

- Butterfly Bush

- Flowering Quince

- Weigela

Vines

- Coral Honeysuckle

- Morning Glory

- Scarlet Runner Bean

- Cypress Vine

Perennials

- Bee Balm

- Canna Lily

- Cardinal Flower

- Columbine

- Coral Bells

- Four O'Clocks

- Foxglove

- Hosta

- Hummingbird Mint (Agastache)

- Penstemon

- Salvias

- Yucca

Annuals

- Fuchsia

- Impatiens

- Petunia

- Salvias

- Shrimp Plant

     It has been conjectured that in a given year, not a square meter of the U.S. goes unchecked by hummers in their relentless quest for food. If you hang a feeder in your garden, sooner or later a hummingbird will come to investigate, and you too can enjoy one of nature's miracles.

Rhonda Grinels