Subject: Gummy Gooseberry and Early Hummingbirds
Date: Mar 13 20:11:11 2004
From: Stewart Wechsler - ecostewart at quidnunc.net
On gooseberry use by hummers:
Ribes spp. i.e. Gooseberries/Currants are frequently used by hummingbirds.
I've been told they use all of our native species of Ribes. I most often
hear of our native Ribes sanguineum - Red-flowering Currant being used by
the hummers and have seen them using them a number of times. This is also
our most common species and is now planted quite often due to its beautiful
flowers and also as a hummingbird attractant and because it's native. It
also has a wide range of conditions it naturally grows in from full sun and
drier than average soils (Western Washington standards) to quite shady and
fairly moist. Ribes Lobbii is rare in our area (I have yet to see it in the
wild myself), so it wouldn't be an important nectar source for hummers in
western Washington.
Stewart Wechsler
West Seattle
mailto:ecostewart at quidnunc.net
-----Original Message-----
From: TWEETERS-owner at u.washington.edu
[mailto:TWEETERS-owner at u.washington.edu]On Behalf Of Guy McWethy
Sent: Saturday, March 13, 2004 7:27 PM
To: PNW Natives; Tweeters
Subject: Gummy Gooseberry and Early Hummingbirds
Had my first Rufous hummingbird of the year in my yard
today. And about the only flowers out this early were
the Indian Plum and the Gummy Gooseberry (Ribes
lobbii). I saw him in the Gooseberry flowers.
I have seldom heard others mention the Ribes as a
hummingbird flower, but I would imagine it is fairly
important because it does flower so early in the
season. In my yard, the Red-flowering Currant is not
blooming yet (barely budding in fact), but the Gummy
Gooseberry has had flowers for at least 2 weeks. They
are at their peak about now.
Pojar states that the Gummy occurs at low to middle
elevations, which about fits where I am (between
Renton and Maple valley). I would hypothesize that R.
Lobbii would be very important early season food for
the hummers in these mid-elevation areas.
Now if we can just find a good source for the plants
to get more into out yards ;)
PS the two I have I purchased over the internet from
Fraser Thimble Farm in BC. I Planted them in the fall
about 3 years ago, and they have done well. Much
better than the others I tried from Oregon and
planting in early summer. ALL of those died;(
It's good to have the hummers back! Spring is here !!
Guy
=====
Guy McWethy
Renton, WA
mailto: lguy_mcw at yahoo.com
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