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  The hummingbirds are out en masse right now, dive-bombing us in the nursery, chasing each other off the Columbine, Salvias, Crocosmia and Penstemons. I was so inspired I put up one of our favorite "Best" hummingbird feeders (anti- ant and bee) and I had Hummers at it the nest morning.  They are really pretty violent and territorial creatures - mean descendants of the dinosaurs - but fascinating and beautiful and worth feeding after their journey all the way from Central America.
  The finch socks are one of the easiest ways to feed pleasant little goldfinches.  Just hang-up the pre-filled yellow sock full of thistle seed and they will come in flocks. Also, you can leave this feeder up year-round and finches will appreciate the sustenance.

...devil's helmet or monkshood.  Aconitum is a genus with over 250 species native to much of the northern hemisphere.  Our most common and easy to grow species is Aconitum napellus, a Garden Monkshood, which is a frequent garden plant in cold locations throughout North America and Europe.  I have divided mine several times and the plants grow to 6' tall and 2' wide with dozens of flowering stalks.  Where the irrigation blasts them they often fall over if not staked but out of the spray, they seem to stand on their own.  They are very long lived. Like a shade loving delphinium with beautiful purple flowers. A. napellus prefers open woodland shade and moist well-drained soil.  We also have a few Autumn Monkshood that prefer more sun and bloom much later.  The picture is 'Ivorene', a white selection in our landscape. See Coupon Below.