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Win a bird song CD set in this month’s Where’s Webster contest! Search for Webster in the “Blooms” section this month.
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Dear $$firstname$$,
As summer begins to hit its peak, we’re busy planning ahead for future issues. In this issue of the newsletter, we’re hoping you’ll take a moment to help us by answering our Gardens and More survey. Don’t worry—it’s only a single question!
We’re interested to know what you want to see in the magazine. We have a list of suggestions, and all you have to do is vote!
By the way, do you know someone with a beautiful garden who would make a great feature for the magazine? Send your ideas to us through the Submit Your Story form on our Web site.
Enjoy the rest of summer!
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Bird of the Month: Northern Cardinal
Photo: Roland Jordahl
Seven states call the northern cardinal their state bird. Learn more about this North American bird, and listen to its song.
Scientific Name: Cardinalis cardinalis.
Family: Finch.
Length: 8-3/4 inches.
Wingspan: 12 inches.
Distinctive Markings: Male is bright red with a black face. Also has a prominent crest and red bill. Female is fawn colored with red accents.
Nest: Three to four whitish-gray eggs with brown speckles. Builds a nest of twigs and grasses hidden in dense trees or shrubs.
Song: Over two dozen different songs. Most common is "What cheer! What cheer! What cheer!"
Habitat: Sheltered backyards, woodland edges and parks.
Diet: Seeds and insects.
Backyard Favorites: Sunflower seeds and cracked corn.
Listen to this bird’s song by visiting our 50 Most Wanted Birds section on the Web site.
Photo of the Month
Sarah Morgan of Herrin, Illinois captured this great photo of a black swallowtail. More amazing photos abound in our Photo Gallery—just follow this link.
Plant of the Month
When it comes to blazing summertime color, few flowers can beat the heat of celosias. Blooming from mid-summer to frost, the brilliant flame-like colors and forms can really set the annual bed on fire. Just be sure to keep them in that hot sun, and out of the harmful shade.
Common Names: Celosia, cockscomb.
Botanical Name: Celosia cristata.
Hardiness: Annual.
Bloom Time: Summer through fall.
Size: 6 to 30 inches high, 12 to 20 inches wide.
Flower: Red, yellow, orange, gold, copper, cream, pink; crested types resemble a rooster’s comb, while plumed varieties unfurl upright feathery flowers.
Light Needs: Full sun.
Growing Advice: After setting out the plumed varieties, pinch back tips to encourage branching and showier flowers.
Prize Picks: Outstanding plume-type selections are Fresh Look Red and Fresh Look Yellow. Prestige Scarlet grows 12 to 15 inches with red-crested flowers. Pink Castle has rose-pink spikes.
Best of Glad You Asked
Winter Plant Protection
How can I protect my container plantings—such as lilies, bleeding heart and astilbe—from harsh winter weather? —Louise Smith
Lansing, Michigan
Melinda: The best way to protect such plantings is to sink the containers in the ground in a vacant garden area for winter. For added insurance, mulch the plants with evergreen branches or straw once the ground freezes.
If this isn’t possible, move the planters into an unheated garage. Pack Styrofoam peanuts or other insulating material around the root area for added insulation. Then water the soil anytime it’s thawed and dry.
The riskiest method is to leave the containers above ground. You can group the containers together in a protected spot in your yard. Cover the pots with wood chips or place straw bales around the containers to protect the roots from harsh winter temperatures.
Nomad Roadrunners
Do greater roadrunners migrate? A pair of these fascinating birds raises its young in our yard, then disappears in October. —Nellie Gifford, Bryson, Texas
George: Greater roadrunners don’t migrate, but they often change their territory following nesting season. This is typical behavior among non-migratory birds.
The birds shift territories based on the availability of food and their changing dietary needs throughout the year. They often require different types of food when they’re feeding young.
Northern mockingbirds are another species that maintains two separate territories—one for nesting and one for feeding—during the year.
Subscribers can access our Glad You Asked database with hundreds of questions and answers from George and Melinda.
Best of Bird Tales
Berry Fond of Fruit
“Chippity”, the northern mockingbird that’s claimed our backyard, chases every bird that even thinks about getting near “his” dogwood tree at certain times of the year.
He particularly dislikes European starlings and will go to unbelievable lengths to chase them away.
While the mocker occasionally dined on the suet we put out, he usually preferred to find his own meals. That was until my husband, Jim, read that mockingbirds like fruit.
“No wonder the pepper berries are missing from the wreath on our back door,” Jim said.
As an experiment, we placed a few golden and regular raisins in the wreath and along a window ledge as well. Sure enough, Chippity forgot about the pepper berries and went straight for the golden raisins.
Next we offered small nuggets mixed dried fruit. He loved the figs, and eventually ate apples and other fruit.
Chippity now checks the wreath several times a day to see if we’ve put out any more treats. It’s just one more area to protect from the other birds.
—Jan Curry, Raleigh, North Carolina
Get a once-in-a-lifetime inside look at the 109th Annual Tournament of Roses Parade—and help decorate a float! Book this New Year’s holiday vacation by August 29 and you’ll save $100.00 per person on your trip!
Project of the Month
Now is the perfect time of year to start planning to harvest gourds. Take a look at how you can turn a gourd into a birdhouse to last for years! Start building your own.
FREE Wallpaper
Download amazing wallpaper for your computer, like this gorgeous blanket flower photos by Chris Gorhum. Take a look.
Current Needs
Attention winter warriors! With the cold fast approaching, we are looking for great winter feeding tips for feeding birds. Send them to us using our Submit Your Story form, found here.
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