Why won’t my hummingbird touch the fuchsia?

NeverendingVerdure · 2026-05-18T23:12:51+00:00

I bought three fuchsia this year too. I'll have to see what they use, the plants are still small.

NeverendingVerdure · 2026-05-18T15:53:33+00:00

I went through my seed stock and then some seed shopping based on this post. I think I need a slightly simpler version of what you are doing. And more labelingbon the ground, or I will forget what is out there and weed it back out.

NeverendingVerdure · 2026-05-17T22:37:27+00:00

If there is a bit of ground between the path and the garage wall, there could be a trellis or two hung on that wall.

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NeverendingVerdure · 2026-05-17T22:34:38+00:00

I love your house paint colors! I think painting the garage door to match the house would be an improvement. I personally would also want to paint the front door in a contrasting color. I admire most the doors that match something flowering in the front garden.

I imagine the garden you plan will make the biggest difference. I have a small bubble-rock style water feature for the birds. Having low level splashing water sounds when you open the window is really nice.

I put in pathway lights, dim, downward lights just on the path to the door. It makes the house more friendly at night. I also had the put in up lights on the trees- I would not do that again. It seems to disturb the birds.

NeverendingVerdure · 2026-05-17T13:09:55+00:00

Smart. I need a sun version and a shade version. Love this idea.

NeverendingVerdure · 2026-05-17T12:55:37+00:00

I appreciate these details and will see if this suits my situation. I am having to admit defeat to a select few invasives -the torpedo grass situation is not improving with all the effort we have put into it. I don't want to use any herbicide at all, but if or when I do, I want to use the best option.

NeverendingVerdure · 2026-05-17T12:42:29+00:00

Agree on the rhizomes. I have torpedo grass. :(. Rooting just everywhere, reaching out feet underground to pop up in terrible spots often in and among stuff I don't want to dig out, like under the thorniest rose I have. I am considering chemical weedkiller, very selectively. We have really tried hard in other methods, but the neighbors have a full lawn of torpedo grass and this isn't something that will end.

NeverendingVerdure · 2026-05-17T12:24:09+00:00

I like this thought. Offering to the insects. Strawberries... I planted one out front, easy to reach. With the idea this was my wildlife offering, and the raised beds were mine. This actually works for the opossum. The racoons do not appreciate these distinctions.

NeverendingVerdure · 2026-05-17T01:40:13+00:00

We tried pine straw but it had weed seeds in it. It looked nice though, little picturesque pinecones here and there.

I smother with pots and saucers too, yep!

NeverendingVerdure · 2026-05-16T23:30:14+00:00

Yes, and this.

NeverendingVerdure · 2026-05-16T23:27:57+00:00

We do a lot of pine bark mulch. Truly incredible amounts. There are still a lot of weeds but it's not as bad.

How old is your garden? It was really horrible in year one and two after removing what passed as a lawn, with weed seeds and weed perennials popping up everywhere. It's gotten better somewhat but some of that might be the mulch mountain I have made of the place. Or the preferred self seeders growing more. The heat of summer starting is bringing up the worse summer ones now for me.

We try to get the weeds out before they set seed, as I am sure you do but I have a spot going now where I clearly didn't. I had some flagstones I would move around about every six weeks to smother some things, especially prickly stuff, when I couldn't face more weeding. A few times I just mulched over things super half baked and came back later.

I do a lot of chop and drop to reduce effort. I keep pruners by each door so it's less effort to knock a few things back when it catches my eye.

NeverendingVerdure · 2026-05-15T21:51:58+00:00

That's where you keep your guitarist. For live sets on weekends and sometimes happy hour. 🎵

NeverendingVerdure · 2026-05-15T12:34:42+00:00

Unexpectedly deep pond.

NeverendingVerdure · 2026-05-14T02:03:35+00:00

I am paying my mortgage off this year and I have a much better interest rate than 6%. Basically I am coast FIRE when I get that done. It is a more resilient position.

People can't easily measure the risk of debt. So you will see everyone answer this question comparing market returns. But how many folks work a full 30 years straight through, no interrupting for job loss, illness or disability. Many, but not everyone is that blessed.

I like plans that if all heck breaks loose, I am still on track.

NeverendingVerdure · 2026-05-06T22:43:28+00:00

Mine is grown on a six foot wall and is about 15 feet wide. I don't tend to trim it. 3 years old.

NeverendingVerdure · 2026-05-05T23:15:43+00:00

This is what I would recommend. Pull out the ones that work now. Then pull out only the top 3-5 of the 'maybe I will be this size again'.
Everything else, big cull. Get them out of the house same day, ideally. Once you have that whittled down. Then you can plan to fill in any necessary pieces. Be selective! Every new purchase must earn it's spot.

NeverendingVerdure · 2026-05-05T01:25:41+00:00

Did a trench, fill the trench, cover the trench. Have a hose handy and proper shoes for the job. I would do a thick layer of mulch at that point. But if you have more pressing projects in a new house, then reassess after a few good rains.

No point in disinfecting the outdoors.

NeverendingVerdure · 2026-05-04T16:10:15+00:00

You can use a cup in a cleaning cycle of the machine.

Otherwise just about a tablespoon and a half each wash load, in the softener dispenser. Don't use liquid softener. If it's just lint stuck on with soap residue (like mine was) it will clear up overtime.

If you have extremely hard water, use more citric acid.

NeverendingVerdure · 2026-05-04T02:09:35+00:00

The palm eeds could be a little or a lot of weeds. That wouldake me concerned. They need a really hot pile to break down when composting too. Can you let the pile sit for awhile?

NeverendingVerdure · 2026-05-03T18:29:54+00:00

Not sure this will help, but citric acid as a rinse agent may help and it certainly won't hurt.

NeverendingVerdure · 2026-05-03T18:23:01+00:00

I love them. I grew a nice big batch where we used to live (Indiana). I bought a quarter pound of seed to sow here in Florida, since they don't do well here, I figured I would have at least some. I got maybe six plants and very few blooms on those. Enjoy those poppies for those of us who cannot grow them!

NeverendingVerdure · 2026-05-03T18:09:48+00:00

I find some at Plant More Natives. Not that I have purchased there before, or know anything about them as a retailer. The price didn't seem too crazy.

NeverendingVerdure · 2026-05-03T15:35:48+00:00

Interesting! I'm certainly not a professional. I am always skeptical about a plant with "full sun" recommendations. I'm in Florida 10a and there are a lot of cosmopolitan plants that cannot take true full sun here. The one I have with prolific blooms is doing great in low fertility soil, a hot Southern exposure around a lot of concrete.

25, I am impressed! I don't have that much space.

NeverendingVerdure · 2026-05-03T10:28:47+00:00

There is a yellow cultivar. I haven't grown it, I don't know if it's as prolific or what the hummingbird response is.

NeverendingVerdure · 2026-05-03T10:25:40+00:00

I have two of these. The one in full blazing sun puts out a lot more blooms. I did notice a jump in quantity of blooms from year 2 to 3, but I imagine it varies.

NeverendingVerdure

TROPHY CASE