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Dear $$firstname$$,
At last, your FREE Birds & Blooms Newsletter has a name! You voted and “News You Can Use” is the winner. But have no fear—though the name has changed, the content is still as good as ever. We’re even adding a Project of the Month.
Also, we received more than 200 amazing videos for our Backyard Video Contest, and we’ve posted the best of the best on our YouTube page. Take a look at the videos and help rank them. You determine our five winners! Learn more about the contest here.
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Bird of the Month: Western Tanager
Photo: Dave Ryan
The western tanager is a summer favorite. They love to cool down and drink from a backyard birdbath on hot days. Learn more about these colorful beauties, listen to their song and learn how to attract them to your yard. Find out more.
Photo of the Month
What kind of hummingbird is this and where was it taken? Find out in our Photo Galleries. Take a closer look.
Plant of the Month: Coral Bells
Striking, often colorful foliage, dainty flowers, and an adaptable nature make coral bells a sure winner for just about any yard.
Common Names: Coral bells, Heuchera.
Botanical Name: Heuchera.
Hardiness: Zones 3 to 9.
Bloom Time: Varies by cultivar, but most coral bells typically bloom from late spring into early summer.
Size: 8 inches to 3 feet high, 12 to 24 inches wide.
Flower: Bell-like blooms in purple, red, black, silver, amber, orange, and bronze.
Light needs: Partial shade to full sun.
Growing Advice: Plant in early spring, choosing soil that’s moist, rich and well draining.
Prize Picks: Plum Pudding sports both attractive foliage and flowers. Purple Petticoats has ruffled foliage.
Best of Glad You Asked
Get Rid of Suckers
Is there a way to discourage the growth of “suckers” around the base of my crape myrtle trees? —Bobby Langley, Rocky Mount, North Carolina
Melinda: Many varieties of crape myrtle produce suckers. As you’ve found, pruning out th suckers is not a permanent solution. Tree care professionals and researchers have found slightly longer lasting results with sprout inhibitors like Tre-Hold. Try this or other sprout inhibiting products that contain the growth regulator NAA (naphthaleneacetic acid).
Unfortunately this is not a permanent solution, but it made reduce sprouting. As always, carefully read and follow all label directions.
Male or Female?
Why do males and females of some bird species—like blue jays—have the same coloring, while other species—like American goldfinches—sport different plumage? —Karen Dennis, Glencoe, Ontario
George: Because all markings and coloring in birds are related to their survival, the simple answer is that when there is no difference (no sexual dimorphism) between males and females, they have been more successful as look-alikes.
In the species where males and females look different, survival has required sexual dimorphism. Because these female birds are less colorful, we assume they blend into the natural environment better when incubating eggs in nests or feeding and caring for young.
Males of most species are brighter and fancier than their female companions. The general thought is that their bright coloring helps attract mates and defend breeding territories against other males.
Subscribers can access our Glad You Asked database with hundreds of questions and answers from George and Melinda.
Best of Bird Tales
Crow Paid the Piper
We have a backyard feeding station that we stock every day with a variety of seed, suet, bread, peanuts and some unshelled pecans, almonds, Brazil nuts and walnuts.
A family of crows has joined our regular feathered and furry visitors. While we were cleaning the shells off the deck one day, my husband, Roy, found a shiny dime apparently left by one of the crows.
Despite their unsavory reputation, they’re the only guests that have tipped us for their daily meals.
Enjoy a spectacular holiday getaway! Book one of seven trips by July 31, 2008, and you’ll save $50.00 per person — and get the Taste of Home Treasury of Christmas cookbook with your reservation!
Project of the Month: Coffee Can Birdhouse
Ever wonder how you can combine your passion for birds with your love of coffee? Check out this cool, creative design and get started on your own coffee can birdhouse. Start building your own.
FREE Wallpaper
Add some color to your computer desktop by downloading some of our amazing wallpaper, like this one from Jerry Acton. Take a look.
Our Neck of the Woods
Don’t forget to send in pictures and stories of your fantastic bird feeders. Also, we need photos of great gardens for our Green Thumb section.
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