Birdzilla wrote:
Hummingbirds will start returning to Texas this month (March), although a few over-winter along the Texas coast.
Somewhat related to this, I was wondering what to plant along the South side of the house (DFW area) that might be Hummingbird friendly. There's a fairly long stretch of grass running between the driveway and the South side of the house. Currently some old, tired bushes are there and I'm thinking of pulling them up and replacing them. There is a sprinkler system with some heads standing about 3 feet off the ground, so watering should not be too much of a problem. (Though, I try to water following the weekly-deeply pattern.)
I've done some digging on the web and at first thought that Red Trumpet Honeysuckle might be nice. However, reading about the invasiveness of that plant concerns me. There's nothing else to compete with there, so maybe not a problem. Though, the business about attracting ants and other bugs is another concern. On the opposite side of this South wall is the garage and kitchen. Obviously the latter is of concern.
I've also come across some info on the Butterfly Bush (Buddleja davidii), the Royal Red variety. Don't know much about it, though.
Also, I don't know if anything that's going to attract Hummingbirds will not also attract insects. Afterall, they're after the same stuff. Perhaps such plants are just best not near the house, and something more mundane be used instead? Or perhaps some combo of plants, one that Hummers like, but others ants not so fond of?