The name Drumstick Allium aptly describes this group of onions having tall, thin stems, and tight knobs of bloom at the top, indeed looking like drumsticks. Onions in this group are primarily within Section Allium, the “type” section that defines the genus, although some onions in other sections may share the so-called “drumstick” appearance.

Characteristics of Blue Drumsticks

- The Allium ‘Blue Drumstick’, Allium, has unusual flax-blue flower heads, approximately 1 1/2″ in diameter.
- It is a low maintenance perennial, and should only be pruned after flowering to avoid removing any of the current season’s flowers.
- Blue Drumstick is resistant to deer and makes excellent cut flowers.
- It is easy to grow in any sunny, well-drained location.
- They should be planted in groups of ten or more.
- Divide mature clumps in August if areas become overcrowded.
- Blue Drumstick is ideal for containers, mass plantings, borders, and cut flowers.
- These plants are rabbit, squirrel, and deer resistant.
- The bloom period is of about 3 weeks and they bloom in late spring to early summer.

Conditions required for Blue Drumsticks to grow

- Blue drumstick should only be grown in full sunlight.
- Average to evenly moist conditions are best for its growth, but it will not tolerate standing water.
- It is not particular as to soil type or pH, and is able to handle environmental salt.
- It is highly tolerant of urban pollution.

- Sunset Hyssop is an open herbaceous perennial with an upright spreading habit of growth.
- The leaves are fine-textured with a gray-green color. In the summertime, sunset hyssop is covered in trumpet shaped flowers, each with shades of orange, pink and purple.
- Sunset hyssop is a surefire way to attract hummingbirds to your garden. The vibrant pink, purple and orange blossoms definitely catch your eye, adding pizazz to any yard. It is able to grow in many zones and soil conditions.
- It brings an extremely fine and delicate texture to the garden composition and should be used to full effect.
- This perennial will require occasional maintenance and upkeep, and is best cleaned up in early spring before it resumes active growth for the season.

Growing Tips For Sunset Hyssop

- Plant in a sunny location. It can tolerate part shade if needed.
- In the first season, they should be watered regularly to establish the root system. The soil should be well drained as sunset hyssop does not tolerate soil that is constantly wet. After it is established, it is very drought tolerant.
- During spring, you can divide established plants.
- Sow seeds directly in the garden once temperatures are above 55 degrees. Space transplants 12-18″ apart.

Maintenance/Pruning For Sunset Hyssop

- Cut sunset hyssop almost to the ground at the beginning of spring. This will promote stronger and more vigorous growth. Deadhead spent flowers to extend blooming season.
- In colder regions, mulch with pea gravel during the winter. Do not use wood mulches; these tend to keep the soil below very moist, which this plant cannot tolerate.

Soil Conditions needed for Sunset Hyssop

Sunset hyssop prefers a hot, sunny spot in well-drained, mineral-rich, humus-poor soil. Cut the fine-textured, somewhat brittle stems down close to the ground at the beginning of the growing season, even if much of the wood remains live, as it does in warmer zones. This radical pruning promotes sturdier, more vigorous growth.
Sunset hyssop is short-lived in damp, cool climates and resents moist winter soil. Otherwise it appears to adapt to most garden situations as long as it has full sun. Its warm colors and full, bushy texture combine well with late-season grasses such as Mexican feather grass and the taller big sacaton, two other lovely Southwest natives. Late- blooming, similarly drought- tolerant plants such as blue mist spirea, Russian sage, and Maximilian sunflower also make good companions. This recently discovered treasure offers lively color and delicious fragrance, while bringing wildlife into our late-season gardens.

There are some problems that are associated with Sunset Hyssop like : Mildew, rust, and downy mildew.

Creating a Hummingbird Garden

The creation of a successful hummingbird habitat in your garden is easy. Like other birds, they need food, water, and spots for nesting, roosting and perching. Hummingbird metabolism dictates a diet high in sugar. A `typical’ hummingbird consumes half of his weight each day in sugar requiring several feedings per hour. They obtain their sugar and many other nutrients from flower nectar.

Providing a steady succession of nectar flowers from early spring until late autumn is the key to attracting these birds. Hummingbirds are particular about their flowers. These `hummingbird flowers’ are often red, a color which is visible to the birds, but is indistinctive for insects competing for the nectar. These flowers often have
long tubular flowers which also discourages most bees which cannot reach down far enough to get the nectar. Red is the color that gets a hummingbirds attention, but they also sample flowers of other colors and frequent them if they are good nectar producers. Although attracted to the color red flowers they won’t come back if those are a poor food source.

Hummingbirds also consume many small insects which they find in the flowers. A diversity of flowers promotes a healthy diversity of insect life that is necessary for their diet.

A complete habitat also includes trees and shrubs for shade roosting, perching and nest sites. It has been suggested that willows trees are a multipurpose plant. Their flowers are a source for both nectar and small insects while the downy filaments which aid in seed dispersal are a good nest building material for the hummingbird.

Hummingbirds get their nutritional water from nectar, but they do appreciate a bird bath. The water must be shallow, to accomplish this in a regular bird bath line the bottom of the basin with flat rocks and fill with water.

Terra-cotta birdbath

A birdbath is a great device for attracting all kinds of species, and gives a nice look to the garden.

CRAFT MATERIALS:

2 unglazed clay pot trays – one 8 1/4 inches in diameter and one 12 1/4 inches in diameter
Unglazed clay pot, 6 inches in diameter
Permanent enamel satin finish paint
Paintbrushes
Clear satin-finish enamel glaze

Time needed: Under 1 Hour

1. Invert the smaller clay tray and the pot on a newspaper-covered surface so your child can paint a decorative design on the stand. Let the paint dry thoroughly.

2. Seal the paint with a coat of clear satin glaze.

3. Center the inverted pot on the tray base.

4. Set the larger tray right side up atop the pot and fill it with no more than 3 inches of water.

Tips: Don’t paint the larger tray, as the unpainted surface will provide a better grip for visiting birds