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| Crossvine |
It's April 10, 2020 and spring here in NE Atlanta is on full display. With the beginning of spring the local backyard wild bird enthusiast are patiently waiting on the 1st hummingbirds of the season.
In early spring and throughout the early summer the ruby-throated hummingbirds are making their annual migration to the Boreal forest in central Canada. They pass right through the Johns Creek area starting around April 1st. You can almost set your clock to it.
Early spring is also when the weather is finally warming up, allowing us to get to our gardens. Garden Centers are packed (even with the Covid 19 virus). Nature is our way to sooth the soul. So let's unwind with nature by putting wild birds and plants together to start a hummingbird garden.
The plant you see in the picture is a climbing vine called a "Crossvine." I love this plant because while the other popular hummingbird plants like sages and salvias are just coming out of the ground this plant is in full bloom at the beginning of spring... just in time for the ruby throated hummingbird.
The plant requires little care. Mine is located in full sun (springtime) yet it is in partial sun during the summer. The crossvine grabs anything it can find so mine is crawling up a tree limb and to the left it's invading a trumpet vine (a summer blooming hummingbird plant).
The crossvine will bloom for a short time. Typically by Mother's Day it is finished. A late hard freeze will also kill the flowers but won't hard the plant. The crossvine will stay green all year long. It doesn't go completely dormant in the winter.
It's early spring, if you are considering a hummingbird garden this year go to your local garden center and check out a crossvine. Unwind and let nature sooth your soul.
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