Weekend Gardening: Irresistible Hummingbird Plants
September 16, 2012
This time of year, it’s nice to be able to sit outside on the cooler afternoons and enjoy the antics of the hummingbirds.
For many people, attracting hummers is as easy as hanging a feeder. But, that is not always successful because many hummingbirds are not accustomed to using feeders. I know from experience how frustrating it can be to put out a feeder and never see a hummingbird.
Numerous people have found that planting a garden full of hummingbird-attracting plants, in addition to maintaining feeders, is a more reliable method for successfully attracting hummingbirds.
One plant that is sure to attract the hummingbirds and the “oohs and ahhs” of fellow gardeners is the pagoda plant. The flowers grow in pyramid shaped clusters which are tiered, like a Japanese pagoda, thus its common name. This sizeable floral display sitting atop large leaves makes this such a visually-striking plant.
The red-orange flowers are funnel shaped and tubular, making it irresistible to the hummingbirds. Each slender, tubular flower is about a half-inch long with five small lobes, these usually being slightly paler than the tube.
Butterflies are the main pollinators. As they extend their long, thin proboscides into the flower tubes pollen adheres to their bodies from the long protruding stamens. Flowers of cultivated plants are usually sterile and typically do not produce fruits.
The pagoda flower is one of about 150 species of Clerodendrum, a large genus which is native to Africa and Asia. Known botanically as Clerodendrum paniculatum, it was first described in 1767 by the ‘father’ of modern biological nomenclature – the Swedish botanist, Carl Linnaeus. The species epithet refers to the large ‘paniculate’ clusters of flowers (inflorescences).
The leaves of the pagoda plant are bright green, rounded to heart-like in shape and can get very large. The shrub has an open branching habit and can grow up to eight feet tall. Their ability to produce root suckers allows pagoda flowers to spread vegetatively and they can form clonal stands of several plants together. Although an aggressive plant, it is not as invasive as other species of Clerodendrum.
It grows best in partial sun to light shade and prefers a moist, but well-drained soil. It does well with minimal fertilizer and requires little care. Insects may occasionally chew on the foliage, but this plant really has no major insect or disease problems. Plants grow rapidly and send up shoots that might need removal during the growing season.
The one shortcoming of this plant is that it is tender and will die back with a freeze. While it has returned reliably over several years in Northwest Florida, some years it takes a very long time to reappear the following summer. Be sure to remove the freeze-damaged foliage, or cut back to the ground entirely, only after you see new shoots begin to appear in the spring. This is one plant that I would suggest that you remove some rooted underground shoots and pot up to overwinter in a protected location.
Be patient if you don’t see hummingbirds the first year. Remember, a hummingbird garden is an invitation to these delightful creatures, not a command performance. The longer you stick with it the more likely they are to show up.
Theresa Friday is the Environmental Horticulture Extension Agent for Santa Rosa County.
First Responders Throw Baby Shower For Widow Of Firefighter, Paramedic
September 16, 2012
Area fire departments and ambulance services held a baby shower Saturday in Century for the widow of one of their own.
Lt. Nathan Berry was a member of the Century Fire Department and the Friendship Fire Department, and he was a paramedic supervisor with Lifeguard EMS in Santa Rosa County and a former paramedic with Atmore Ambulance. Berry, 22, was killed in an off-duty traffic accident south of Jay in June.
Saturday afternoon, a baby shower was held for his widow, Tiffany (Hanks) Berry, formerly of Bratt, unborn son Mason, and 17-month old daughter Anna Claire.
Members of local fire departments, as well as Lifeguard and Atmore ambulance services, and members of the community gave the family gifts and donations to let them know that they are not alone and will not be forgotten.
Pictured top and below: A baby shower was held Saturday at the Century Fire Station for the widow of a firefighter and paramedic. Photos by Melissa Moye for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Photo Gallery: Northview NJROTC, Cheerleaders, Band And Dance Team
September 16, 2012
For a game summary and action photos, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Births: Amber Magdalene “Maggy” Dunsford, Angie Elaina “Lainey” Dunsford
September 16, 2012
Ashley Dunsford of Byrneville announces the birth of her twin daughters, Amber Magdalene “Maggy” and Angie Elaina “Lainey” Dunsford. They were born September 1, 2012, at Sacred Heart Hospital.
Maggy was seven pounds, six ounces and Lainey was five pounds, 10½ s ounces. Their proud grandfather is Danny Dunsford from Flomaton, and great grandparents Bill and Angie Weaver of Byrneville.
Birth: Bentley Myles Dudney
September 16, 2012
Adam and Monica (Hammac) Dudney, along with big sister Madalyn, are proud to announce the birth of Bentley Myles Dudney.
Bentley was born on May 14, 2012, at Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola at 6:07 p.m. He weighed eight pounds, eight ounces and was 21 inches long.
Proud grandparents are Bubba and Robbie Hammac of Bluff Springs and Doug and Denise Dudney of Berrydale.
Ready To Ride: Panhandle Equine Rescue Receives ASPCA Grant
September 14, 2012
Panhandle Equine Rescue in Cantonment has received a $1,500 grant from ASPCA to assist their efforts in preparing rescued horses to be ridden by their new owners.
“With the current economic downturn, more horses are in need of rescue than ever before,” said Diane Lowery, president and co-founder of Panhandle Equine Rescue. “Horseback riders are looking for a good, sound, riding horse for a reasonable price. Many people don’t realize that you can find that perfect horse by adopting one. With this grant money, we hope to help potential horse owners realize that these animals are ready to ride, and waiting for their forever home.”
The grant will allow three rescued horses with riding potential to start working with a natural horsemanship trainer, which will help them be safe for humans to handle and ride. Once training is complete, the rescue horse becomes more adoptable to those looking for a ‘ready to ride’ horse. Te grant will encourage riders to adopt rescue horses and allow PER to find permanent, loving homes for more rescue horses, according to the group.
The only horse rescue in Escambia County, Panhandle Equine Rescue was founded by a small group of concerned citizens and became incorporated on February 1, 2005 as a non-profit organization. Shortly thereafter, PER became authorized by the county court system to investigate reports of equines in trouble. PER’s mission is to “rescue, rehabilitate and provide adoption services for abused, neglected and abandoned equines”.
PER currently has two investigators to take reports about violations of state laws for the purpose of protecting animals or preventing any act of cruelty to animals. PER then investigates the reports and to verify if there is a problem or violation.
Once the investigator confirms a violation, PER works to educate owners to enable them to resolve the problem so they can take full responsibility for their horses. Many owners
voluntarily surrender their horses, some horses are seized by Panhandle Equine Rescue or PER is awarded custody in a civil case.
Panhandle Equine Rescue is run entirely by volunteers with no paid staff or board members. For more information, visit www.panhandleequinerescue.org.
Baby Shower Saturday For Wife Of Late Paramedic
September 13, 2012
A baby shower will be held this Saturday at the Century Fire Station for the wife of a paramedic and fire department member killed recently in a traffic crash.
Lt. Nathan Berry was a member of the Century Fire Department and the Friendship Fire Department, and he was a paramedic supervisor with Lifeguard EMS in Santa Rosa County and a former paramedic with Atmore Ambulance. Berry, 22, was killed in an off-duty traffic accident south of Jay in June.
The baby shower for Tiffany (Hanks) Berry will be held from 2-4 p.m. at the Century Fire Station, 10 Tedder Road, just off Highway 29, for the Berry’s unborn son Mason.
Mason will need any and all baby items, including clothing for 0-12 months, according to event organizers. Gifts are also welcome for Mason’s big sister, Anna Claire. Her clothing size is 18-24 months and her shoe size is 5.
Gifts from those unable to attend can be dropped off at the Lifeguard EMS office at 4340 Avalon Boulevard in Milton from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. through Friday or the Century Fire Station from 7 a.m. until 4 p.m. through Friday, or the Flomaton City Hall at 2125 Ringold Street from 7:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. through Friday.
Those attending are asked to call (850) 619-0729 or email shaunmoye@att.net in advance so that an accurate count can be obtained for food.
Century Correctional Donates Supplies To Three Area Schools
September 12, 2012
Century Correctional Institution recently held a school supply drive and distributed donations to partners in education Bratt Elementary, Byrneville Elementary and Camp Fire USA in Century. A variety of items were collected from employees, including crayons, folders, paper, scissors, glue sticks, tissue, paper towels, zip lock bags and hand sanitizer.
Pictured above are CCI employees Sgt. Yetzer, Warden Whitehurst, Sgt. Dixon, Michele Edwards, Carrie Bryan, Officer Guice, Assistant. Warden Flores and Officer DeGraaf with some of the collected school supplies.
Scroll down for more photos.
Pictured above: Bratt Elementary students with Assistant Warden Flores, Michele Edwards, Principal Karen Hall, Carrie Bryan and Willie Hicks.
Pictured above: Donations at Byrneville Elementary School with Willie Hicks, Carrie Bryan, Michele Edwards, Principal Dee Wolfe-Sullivan and Assistant Warden Flores.
Pictured above: Campfire USA Century Pre-K students with donated supplies, along with teacher Misty Lambeth and Director Pam Townson.
Congressmen Stuff Special September 11 USO Care Packages
September 12, 2012
Members of Congress crossed party lines on Tuesday, September 11, to stuff thousands of Operation USO Care Packages to be distributed to service members overseas in an effort to provide them with a “piece of home”.
“Every time I go overseas to Iraq, Afghanistan, and any other areas of operation around the world, the men and women tell me all the time how much they appreciate getting the USO care packages and the notes and letters from home,” said Congressman Jeff Miller of Chumuckla. “The USO continues to be one of the most important morale boosters to our men and women serving overseas.”
The event took place in the foyer of the Rayburn House Office Building in Washington where Miller (R-FL) and Silvestre Reyes (D-TX) kicked off the event. During the event, Members of Congress and staff assembled more than 3,000 care packages for deployed troops.
Special cards were inserted in each care package noting the significance of September 11.
“We must never forget September 11, 2001, nor your selfless service to our nation. This special USO care package was assembled on September 11, 2012 on Capitol Hill in appreciation of your continued service and commitment to our country,” the cards read.
Since the program’s inception, the USO has distributed more than two million care packages to troops deploying to Afghanistan, Iraq, and other overseas locations. The Operation USO Care Package program enables the public to directly support our soldiers. These packages improve the lives of deployed troops around the world by providing recipients with, at a minimum, one prepaid international phone card, sunscreen, snacks, playing cards, toiletries and other items requested by service members.
For more information about Operation USO Care Package and other USO programs, please visit www.uso.org.
Pictured top: Congressman Silvestre Reyes of Texas (left), Congressman Jeff Miller of Florida and his wife Vicki Miller stuff USO care packages Tuesday, September 11 on Capitol Hill. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Atmore Remembers 9/11
September 11, 2012
The Woodman of the World Lodge 1872 presented an American flag to the city of Atmore Tuesday morning to honor those who lost the lives on September 11, 2001. Pictured are Atmore Police Chief Jason Dean, Mayor Howard Shell and Samantha Bennett, Woodman of the World Lodge 1872 secretary. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.