Did you know that some types of plants and flowers are more likely to attract butterflies and hummingbirds? A visit to your local library or an online search will tell you which flowers will do well in your climate zone and attract these creatures to your yard.
If you are interested in attracting butterflies to your yard, you will want to include flowers with the type of nectar that they find appealing. Your garden should also include plants that caterpillars will like to eat as well. Hummingbirds will visit your yard if you make a point of including such plants as:
?Cardinal Flower
?Red Columbine
?Indian Pink
?Red Buckeye
?Trumpet Honeysuckle
If you already have your garden planted or you aren't sure whether any hummingbirds will actually come to your yard, then another option is to start simply. Buy a hummingbird feeder, fill it with sugar water, and put it outside. Keep an eye on the feeder to see whether any hummingbirds find it. (They may be difficult to spot, since they are so small.)
Put Out a Bird Feeder
There are any number of styles of bird feeders on the market. Before you decide on one particular type, do some research to educate yourself about the types of birds that are native to your area and what they eat. Armed with this information, you can decide whether you should be buying a feeder that is hung from a tree or a post, sits on a table, or is meant to be placed on the ground.
Doing your homework means that you will know whether it makes sense to hang a suet bag or invest in a hummingbird feeder. Knowing in advance what kinds of seeds or feed to buy will make your trip to the store easier than if you try to make a decision after you get to the mall. When you are deciding where to put your bird feeder, do keep it well away from your fire pit.
Step out the Door
So you've built this beautiful outdoor oasis, now you just need to find the time to enjoy it. So turn off the television. Really, you can TV Survivor if you really have to. Remove the excuses for not going out by making plans ahead of time. Invite the neighbors over for a beer or hot cocoa. Show a date or your spouse your romantic and thoughtful side. Or just sneak away and relax on your own.
If it's getting late in the season, or chilly in the evenings try a small fire pit or chimenea to stave off the chill and add to the ambience of the scene you've created. This can extend the time you're able to spend in your natural habitat and let you enjoy your own back yard.
