Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Help the Hummers! (It's a Giveaway!)


Hummingbird at Our Little Acre
As elusive as spring seems to be this year, it's on the way, and so are the hummingbirds! They began their journey north several weeks ago and according to Journey North, the first scouts have arrived as far north as the Ohio River. Now you likely won't see any at your feeders for a few weeks yet, but it's time to start thinking about when you'll put your feeders out. (I'll be putting mine out in mid-April.)

It's also time to think about what you'll plant in your gardens to attract the hummingbirds. They love red, which is why you see most feeders in that color. But they also know that yellow, pink, purple, and orange flowers have good nectar, too.

Those great people at Botanical Interests have made it easy for you to plant seeds that will grow flowers that attract the hummers. AND, because they are SO great, they're giving one of my lucky readers their Hummingbird Nectar Seed Collection! (A $16.00 value.)

Hummingbird Nectar Seed Collection


Included in the Hummingbird Nectar Seed Collection are:

Spotted Bee Balm from my 2007 garden
  • Agastache Sunset Hyssop
  • Bee Balm Dotted Mint
  • Cardinal Climber Vine
  • Columbine McKana's Giant Blend
  • Cypress Vine Funny Valentine Blend
  • Ipomopsis Standing Cypress
  • Penstemon Firecracker
  • Bean Pole Runner Scarlet Emperor



Shayna Lashway
I spoke with Shayna Lashway, Marketing Manager for Botanical Interests, about how seeds are chosen for a collection, since there are so many that would work.

Regarding the hummingbird collection: "This collection consists of varieties that are known to attract hummingbirds. We also use our own experiences to help guide our selections. The process is a group effort, with feedback from our staff experts."

I also asked Shayna which they sell more of - vegetable seeds or flower seeds. She said that though flowers sell well, they sell more vegetable seeds and those continue to gain in popularity. Her personal favorite of all the collections they offer is the Gourmet Greens Collection: "I just love greens! This collection has some really great varieties, and a nice assortment of flavors and textures."

Botanical Interests is a kind of One Stop Shop when it comes to seeds. In addition to detailed information about their seeds (also on their seed packets), they've got several blogs connected to their main site. Be sure to check out Seed to Saucepan, Creative Inspirations, and In the Garden Virtual Gardening Coach.

It's important to note that all of Botanical Interests' seeds are untreated and they don't sell any GMOs (Genetically Modified Organisms).

Cypress Vine, 2010
If the winner of the giveaway would prefer a different collection, Shayna said he or she could choose the one they want. So, just visit the Botanical Interests website and look over the collections they offer. Leave a comment to this blog post by midnight, Sunday, April 3, 2011, telling which collection you'd like to have if you win. Be sure to subscribe to comments so you'll get the notification of who's the winner.

Thanks to Shayna and Botanical Interests for this wonderful jump start to the gardening season!



57 comments:

Unknown said...

Just to win the seed give away would be a privilege! I so love your artwork on your packets and the variety that you offer!
hollyward59@gmail.com

Panella McComas said...

I'd like the Hummingbird Nectar Seed Collection, if I win. LOVE LOVE LOVE Hummers!!! :)

Laura L said...

I love this seed company...already order most of my seeds for the season from them. But I'd love to try the Hummingbird Nectar Seed Collection.

jp said...

I love love love B.I. I use their seeds exclusively in my home gardening endeavors. I especially love their organic and heirloom seeds, the perfect combination! yay!

Cassie said...

I would have to choose the Butterfly Banquet Seed Collection. I had approx 12, what I believed to be, Black Swallowtail caterpillars on my dill last year. They completely destroyed the plant, but I didn't have the heart to remove them. One of them actually pupated on the side of my house. He's still there, I'm anxious to see if he made it through the winter to become a butterfly.

Unknown said...

I would love to plant every seed in every packet of the Humming Bird Mix! It is so important for us to take care of our pollinators. Where there are hummers there are bees and butterflies! I also plant Botanical Interest seeds exclusively, they germinate like no other and the health of my gardens have never been better, I just faithfully planted peas and kohlrabi from a few older seed packets from last season. I know they will grow! Keep it up folks, I am using this company in our Urban Farm "City Mouse Garden" as well! I love supporting Colorado business!

Evelyn Vincent said...

Wow, what a nice assortment of collections Botanical Interests offers! If I were to win... (it's tough to pick one) I think the collection I would like to have is either the:
Bee Happy Seed Collection, or
Hummingbird Nectar Seed Collection, or
Container Vegetable Seed Collection

Thank you for posting this blog article and thanks to Botanical Interests! TheVeryEssence@mac.com

Erika said...

I'd love to win that collection!

Unknown said...

Love the hummingbird picture, and would love the collection. I will also put my feeder out in mid April.

Lona said...

What a great giveaway Kylee. I have bought seeds from them and really liked the results from them. Not to mention the seed packets are cool. LOL!

Cathy said...

I would choose the hummingbird collection. I've gotten my mother feeding them now. I put my feeder out after May 1st.

Nancy Wheat said...

I've been wanting to try several of the plants in that hummingbird collection - I'd love to win it! Thanks for the opportunity!

chris said...

Love, love love Botanical Interests and love sending it as gifts.

Eva said...

Hummingbirds are such a treat in the garden. I saw several last year, among my Giant Zinnias!

Darlene said...

I would really enjoy winning something, but regardless my joy at watching himmers buzzing by is wonderful. I put out feeders every late march or early spring when I spot the first one. I am lucky to get a large number I usually go through two qts every other day. They love the flowers I have everywhere too. I was lucky once to actually hold one in my hand, was like holding air. I have some great snapshots of them too, will post on my blog. So I would say the hummingbird collection, thank you.

Jessica said...

I already have several packets of their seeds! I would like to try the cottage garden seed collection. I don't believe I currently have any of those varieties. Thanks!

Anonymous said...

I would LOVE the hummingbird seed collection!

Shaunna said...

I would love the hummingbird flowers, though I don't know if any would visit us (I haven't seen any, but the birds are just starting to come back - there were none when we moved in). Can't hurt to give them a reason though! :)

Katie E-P said...

Well, the hummingbird collection looks pretty awesome. I also checked out the collections, and the Children's garden collection looks really fantastic, too. Fun varieties in that one! :)

I also just BOUGHT about $50 worth of Botanical INterests seeds yesterday. Lost a little control on their spiffy new website!

Plant Lady said...

I would so love to win the hummingbird collection! Thank you Our Little Acre and Botanical Interests for doing this giveaway. I'm sure my little hummers will enjoy their new buffet!

Darla said...

The Hummingbird collection of course! Our Hummers were back on March 1st, right on schedule and they have been zipping all around the gardens.

Carla said...

I'd definitely LOVE to win the Hummer collection. We're moving and this would be the perfect time to plan new gardens..:-)

Amy said...

What an awesome shot of the little hummer! How do you like your Canon?

I love Botanical Interests seeds. Their Spicy Greens Mix is so yummy. (and darn near fool proof)I've bought extra dill this year for the Black Swallowtails. I never thought of planting for my hummingbirds too.

Love your blog!

Kelly S. said...

Thank you for your current giveaway!!! If I win, I'd LOVE the Hummingbird Nectar Seed Collection. We have hummers in Florida, where I live, but we have to work a bit harder to attract them. With this wonderful collection, I'd have just what they're looking for! I love to read your posts!

Thank you!
Kelly

Marybeth Longstreth said...

I'm sticking with the Hummer's collection...Tempting those little beauties into our yard would be FABULOUS!!!

Unknown said...

Would love to get the hummer collection - can share with my mother as well - I only get a few, but she goes through gallons of sugar-water a day during the summer months : )

Thanks for the chance to win

Quecatwho said...

Very nice offer!!
If I win, I'd like either the
Hummingbird Nectar Seed Collection, or the Bee Happy Seed Collection.
Love the bees doing their work in my vegetable garden!

Anonymous said...

What a fun drawing!

I'd love the Hummingbird collection.

Carys

Steve Asbell said...

Too cool! I love Botanical Interests and Shayna's cool too! :)

Cathy O'Brien said...

I love all of the collections, I have a number of them already burning a hole in my seed box - but the hummingbird one is not one I have bought YET! maybe I will be lucky and win it so I can try it out this spring with the cat, herb, veg and butterfly collections I already succumbed to.

Rhonda said...

What a nice giveaway! We love Botanical Interests seeds. Hope you don't mind, I've shared your link on our FB page- there are lots of hummingbird fans out there;)

Shady Gardener said...

Hi Kylee, Thank you for presenting this offer and thanks to Shayna Lashway and Botanical Interests. I've seen these seeds recently and they are what we need to be purchasing. Very lovely, as well. If I were fortunate enough to win a seed collection, I'd have to go with the Container gardening... shady place I'm in. ;-) Thanks, again.

Unknown said...

I didn't even know we had hummingbirds here, but the hubby said we do.. I want to see them.... PLEASE help me to have the "tools" to do just that. Thank you !

Genevieve said...

Ooooh, I want to win! Awesome contest, Kylee! I haven't started many seeds in the past but I am testing a new LED grow-light, so I'm all over it now. The BT seeds have such lovely illustrations.

TBTorra said...

I'll bet the flowers in the hummer package are gorgeous! I can't say I've ever seen a hummingbird in our garden, so apparently I need some of these plants. I'd love to win! =)

Dreamchaser said...

The Hummingbird Nectar Seed Collection is such an incredible array of beautiful plants. I love watching the hummingbirds at the feeders on our place. I can't wait to see them arrive every spring. There's a magic to them. I'd be honored to win this wonderful selection of seeds. Thank you for this unique opportunity, a chance to brighten my (and our hummers) little corner of the world. :)

SolDucky said...

I also love the Chef's Herb Garden Collection!

daydreamer said...

oh so many great comments I can't wait to see the flying flowers of spring & summer I would love the humming bird collection because I'm pretty good at attracting butterflies but not much luck with hummers thank you so much for all the hard work U put into this site

Rose said...

I've been planting flowers to attract the hummers ever since I first started gardening, Kylee, and have many of the plants listed here in my garden already (or seeds for them for this year). Watching the hummingbirds is one of the things I look forward to every summer. This looks like a great collection of seeds; I'd love to have my name put in the hat--good luck to everyone!

Debbie said...

Love your seeds and artwork!
I would love to win the Hummingbird Nectar Seed Collection.
It's a great seed mix.

Gary K. said...

Hi Kylee;

These seeds would make an awesome gift for the love of my life, my dear frind and wife Jenny, who just loves humming birds, flowers, and all things green that grow in God's great earth. I subscribed to your e-mail over a year ago so I could learn to speak Jenny's "language" and you have taught me so much. Keep up the good work.

Thank you,
Gary

Charlotte said...

I would love to have the hummer seed collection. Every year, I add plants that benefit hummingbirds, butterflies and bees in my wildlife garden; it takes so little time for all the enjoyment they give back!

Vagablonde said...

I couldn't choose... and ...if I win I would love you to surprise me. and..if you delivered them to me and bring Jan along too..we'd have a really fun visit as spring blooms all over southern California.
XO Debbi

Bloomin'Chick Jo said...

Thanks for the chance to win! I'd love the Bee Happy collection; hopefully every little bit I do each year in my garden helps bees to survive and flourish!

Just Short said...

I'd love the Hummingbird set. I really need to encourage more hummers to my yard this year. Thanks for introducing me to Botanical Interests.

deborah150 at hotmail dot com

gehl said...

I love hummingbirds and always put several feeders out. When I lived at a house , instead of an apt., I had all kinds of flowers planted that they liked.

meemsnyc said...

What a great giveaway. I've never seen hummingbirds in our garden before. This will be an awesome way to attract them.

Oil lehigh valley said...

Congratulations! I hope you will be successful in planting those wonderful seeds!

Anonymous said...

Since I already have many of the hummingbird plants, I'd take the Cottage Garden selection if I won!

Verdant Sage said...

I would love any of the collections! BUT after checking out the website I fancy the Chef's herb Garden in particular!

sheila said...

I love watching hummingbirds. Planting a garden just for them would be fun!

garden girl said...

We have lots of hummingbird favorites in our garden Kylee, but there's always room for more! I love Botanical Interests seeds, and would love to try their hummingbird collection.

Our feeders attract way too many wasps, so I don't put them out anymore and keep adding more of their favorite flowers here instead.

Great hummer photo - it's not easy getting a nice clear shot of those quick, shy, sweet little birds!

Anonymous said...

Hi Kylee :)

Would love to be entered into this contest! I'd like to try either the Hummingbird Nectar seed collection or the Cottage Garden collection!

Lisa
@LisaAkari
lisaakari.wordpress.com

Jenn's Cooking Garden! said...

I would love to attract humingbirds to my garden. Im trying to make it a wildlife habitat by fall. What a great giveaway! Good luck everyone.

GardenMom said...

Oh, I would love to have any of the pollinator collections. Maybe I would take the Butterfly collection as my first choice, because I am planting milkweed and some other things in the front yard this year to attract butterflies. The Botanical Interest artwork and packets are gorgeous. Thanks for doing this giveaway.

myrna said...

Miss Ann, 1st grade teacher at Los Angeles Public School Frances Blend for Visually Impaired and Multi-handicapped Children (kids are bussed in from all over the city) has chosen attracting Hummingbirds for their spring garden planting project. Each classroom has a area to plant in the school yard. Any seeds would be wonderful. Please see the garden and the children at www.francesblend.com .
thank you, Miss Myrna (volunteer garden aid)

Julie Kroske said...

I have the perfect place for the wonderful seeds. I am so wanting to transform an ugly space to a living banquet for the Birds and bees. Thanks for your consideration

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