R-T Hummingbird female visits Monarch Waystation 613 to gorge on Beebalm |
Bergamot is a cousin to this store-bought Beebalm. My Beebalm patch is only about a dozen plants and cover a 4 ft. x 4 ft. space.
Ironically, the Ruby Throats preferred the patch of Beebalm over my artificial "hummie" feeder hanging from the front porch and the other nectaring plants in my yard. It was number one on their food preference list. Creating a Monarch butterfly Waystation through Monarch Watch benefits many more creatures that I expected. The overall biodiversity has increased, including a plethora of interesting and beneficial insects. These insects attracted songbirds that feed upon them. In essence, by creating a Monarch Waystation, I attracted additional beautiful little winged creatures to my yard. You can do the same, and counteract the negative effects of urban sprawl. It's fun to create a garden plan with the flowers, trees, and shrubs that are most attractive to desired species.
You can't put a price tag on the benefits of having a wildlife- friendly yard. In the summer mornings, I sit out on the front porch and enjoy a fresh cup of coffee. Before the second sip, a tiny and brilliantly iridescent hummingbird dances among the Beebalm as he, took, begins his day. The female has a tiny nest in the maple growing on the tree lawn. Off and on, the pair performs aerial acrobatics around me, in their unsuccessful attempt at sharing the Beebalm patch and artificial hummingbird feeder hanging in front of me on the front porch. People enjoying their early morning walk stop and admire the Purple Coneflowers, Beebalm, daisies and Butterfly Weed blooming on my suburban tree lawn, heretofore a bare patch of lifeless, green turf. It is a if a common desire is shared by both city, country and suburban dwellers alike. That is, to cultivate and nurture living things, to be close to nature.
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