For instance, a partly shaded walk way along side your home would make a perfect candidate for this combination, plant shrubs or tall perennials along back next to house with Hostas placed in front can look quite stunning.

A large shade tree in our front yard looked like a good candidate for dressing up and because of success of birdbath Hostas of course I decided to try more around tree.

Using a tiller we formed a circle around base and mixed good topsoil into existing dirt, edged circle with bricks, all that was need now were plants.

I spent several days’ scouring local nurseries looking for Hostas in different colors and leaf textures.

Armed with six new plants of moderate size – I’m one of those impatient gardeners – I staggered them around tree, put down a thick layer of cedar mulch then for decorative accent added several groups of unusual looking rocks found in woods, a family of resin squirrels also found a home sitting around plants.

It really looked great and I just knew by following year with regular watering and feeding those six plants would be larger, fuller and gorgeous.

Several days later while doing my daily walk around to look for anything new, I noticed something strange around tree in front yard. Getting closer things really looked funny.

It took a moment to realize there were no longer leafy plants growing there, just a bunch of green stems. This was how I learned that Hostas happen to be a favorite before dinner snack for deer.

Therefore my advice is if you live in an area populated with those brown eyed beauties and your going to give Hosta growing a go make sure to spray them with a safe repellant periodically from their emergence in spring until first frost in fall.

So for those shady areas think about planting Hostas, after all they are a whole lot more than scraggly looking lettuce.

This is a share ware article. Give this article away for free on your site, or include it as part of any paid package as long as entire article is left intact including this notice. Copyright © 2005 bonnie carrier.

Bonnie P. Carrier is the creator of Savvy Home Decorating & Savvy Outdoor Decorating. She is the mother to two grown daughters and a very spoiled 4yr old Blue Merle Sheltie named Toby. Stop by for information and ideas for both inside and outside your home.

Where to hang your feeder or feeders – once you start, guaranteed you’ll have to have more than one – is up to you and layout of your home and yard.

If you have an open porch this is a great place or from tree branches. Most people look for spots where birds can be seen; after all half fun comes from watching these little dynamites. Feeders that mount to windows with suction cups are another alternative.

What To Fill Them With:

Two choices here, pre-made solution or hand made, choice is up to you. I personally have done both but if you prefer to make your own following is standard recipe.

1)One part ordinary white cane sugar to four parts water.

2)Boil water is you wish however it is not really necessary.

3)Store unused syrup in refrigerator for up to two weeks.

If you choose to make your own solution, do not add honey as it ferments very rapidly and can be fatal to birds. Also addition of red food coloring is not necessary, they will find food without it.

Maintenance of Feeder:

Sugar and water mixed together will ferment – not good for birds – which limits it’s usability, this can happen very quickly during hot summer months.

Therefore when temperatures range between 60-85 degrees – or higher – mixture really should be changed about every three days, of course if you happen to have a few Hummingbirds visiting your outdoor diner then you will be refilling about this amount of time anyway. If you should notice any cloudiness in mixture change it right away.

Before refilling feeder be sure to thoroughly clean feeder with warm soapy water and rinse very thoroughly. This is where having a feeder that comes apart easily is important.

Attracting these wonderful little birds is not only entertaining it’s also beneficial as they also eat insects.

Plant some Bee Balm, hang a container filled with a beautiful Fuchsia plant and last but not least put up a feeder.

You’ll find that having your peaceful afternoon snooze on porch interrupted is worth it.

If you would like to learn more about Hummingbird following web site are filled with lots of great information.

The Hummingbird Society -www.hummingbirdsociety.org

The Hummingbird Web Site - www.portalproductions.com

This is a share ware article. Give this article away for free on your site, or include it as part of any paid package as long as entire article is left intact including this notice. Copyright © 2005 bonnie carrier.