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Poetter Hall was purchased by the SCAD founders in March 1979. Classes began in September of that year.  
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Trivial Pursuits

Trivial Pursuits
 
Free seed packets help attract hummingbirds


 


By Monique Bos
Published: Friday, July 22, 2005

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division is offering free seed packets for gardeners who want to attract hummingbirds.

The packets contain a mixture of seeds for scarlet sage salvia and four o’clocks, two low-maintenance perennials that supply nectar to hummingbirds.

Scarlet sage salvia grows to a height of 20-24 inches, while four o’clocks grow to between 20 and 30 inches. Seeds for both can be planted in average soil that receives full sunlight.

According to Terry Johnson, WRD Nongame Wildlife Program manager, both plants are favorites of ruby-throated hummingbirds, the most common species found in Georgia and the only one known to nest in the state. Females lay clutches of two eggs up to twice a year.

Species that commonly winter in the state include Allen’s, Anna’s, black-chinned, broad-tailed, calliope, magnificent and rufous hummingbirds.

Ruby-throated hummingbirds weigh an average of 3-3.4 grams — about the weight of a first-class letter — and must consume approximately half their body weight in food every day. Their best source of energy is rich, easily digestible nectar or sugar water — one part sugar to four parts water — from feeders.

For those interested in attracting hummingbirds to their gardens, Johnson recommends both planting nectar-rich flowers and providing feeders. Feeders should be maintained for migrating hummingbirds throughout the fall and winter.

The WRD is providing one free seed packet per customer. To receive a packet, which comes with an information sheet about hummingbirds in Georgia, send a first-class, stamped, self-addressed, letter-sized envelope to Hummingbird Garden Seed Packet, DNR/WRD, Nongame-Endangered Wildlife Program, 116 Rum Creek Drive, Forsyth, GA 31029.

Seed packets are funded by The Environmental Resources Network Inc., the friend organization to the WRD Nongame and Natural Heritage Section.

To learn more about hummingbirds, to see a complete list of flowers that attract them and to find information about other Georgia wildlife, visit www.georgiawildlife.com and click on “Nongame Animals and Plants.”