I'd like to plant a flowering vine to grow over my new swingset/arbor in the ravine. It's fairly shady but does get enough sun to take the blue off my Blue Umbrella's hosta. My next door neighbor tells me she has hummingbirds at her feeder that came out of my ravine. I have yet to see a single one! But knowing that, I think I'd really like to plant something with red or pink flowers that would attract the hummers.
Any suggestions? I'm thinking I could grow 2 different types in order to keep something blooming most of the summer. Would red honeysuckle do okay in half shade? Are any of the clematis good in shade?
Pat, the red honeysuckle will grow in half shade. It may be a little more open, but it should do fine. Lots of the clems can do well also. Mostly the whites and light colored ones. Sweet Atumn Clem will cover the new trellis in just a couple of years. Don't forget some of the Heuchs for part shade/sun. Not a vine, but the hummers love the tiny little flowers.
Thanks for the info, OED. I have 2 Huechs down there but didn't think about the hummers liking them. Now that I realize that, I'll be sure to find some more.
I think I'll try the red honeysuckle and the sweet autumn clematis. I've been wanting teh SAC for a couple of years and now I have an excuse to buy it.
Pat, if you ask nice, a I bet OED might have a start of the SAC. Do ya Bro? And if not, maybe I can share after he tells me when/how to do the one I got from him last year.
Yes the Sweet Autume Clem will grow in a lot of shade. I have one that only gets a little bit of sun. This is it's second year and it is pretty good size now. And right now it's blooming its little head off. Smells good too.
If dandelions were hard to grow, they would be most welcome on any lawn. ~Andrew Mason
Hey Bro, mine is blooming, too......I like it a lot, but it sure isn't this huge thing I thought it would be....I'll have to post a picture for ya to see.....Plus, how to make more starts and when....I am pretty sure in the spring....Anyway...I think of you when I look at it....Thanks!
Hey sis! I usually start layers in the spring, as soon as I can easily bend something down to bury. Like hostas and most clems, you will see a lot more growth the 2nd and 3rd year. It's that sleep and leap thingy. Be patient!
They will also reseed easily.
I have a SAC on my arbor that's probably 5 or 6 years old & I have never had a seedling or had it go into the ground and root. What gives????? Also, I never smell it. The flowers are all up on top so maybe they're too high to smell.
But I have another one in a different place & it doesn't have a fragrance either. My dirt must be odor absorbant!
My next door neighbor tells me she has hummingbirds at her feeder that came out of my ravine. I have yet to see a single one! But knowing that, I think I'd really like to plant something with red or pink flowers that would attract the hummers. 
I have 2 Huechs down there but didn't think about the hummers liking them. Now that I realize that, I'll be sure to find some more. 
)