Planting is for the Birds

Is attracting birds to your yard a priority? As you can imagine, providing just a well stocked bird feeder isn't going to keep them around for very long. What's needed as much as birdseed is habitat - a diversity of tree, shrub, flower and grass plantings where they can court, nest, hide, find shelter, stay cool in the shade, and feed. Creating a bird-friendly environment is challenging and rewarding, and be warned, going on a bird habitat shopping spree can lead you to a discovery of plants that are just as delightful as those birds you're trying to attract.

In order to create the diversity that's needed when you lay out the welcome mat to a wide variety of birds, it's best to offer a combination of deciduous and evergreen plants. This way you can obtain some variation in plant heights and density, and get a wide array of flowers, fruits, and seeds. At the same time you can delight in the colorful, rich tapestry of plants you're introduced just as much as the birds.

Here are some suggestions of plants you might consider if you agree that besides your own enjoyment, planting is for the birds:

Got Bluebirds?

Join the fun of learning about Mountain Bluebirds and how to attract more of them to your neighborhood - a project all the family can enjoy.

(N) = native species available

The persistent fruit from a flowering crab tree usually provides food throughout the winter for a variety of birds. This year however the abundance of birds, including the Bohemian Waxwing, has stripped the tree bare before the end of November!

For more information on butterflies and hummingbirds, please visit our Butterflies and Hummingbirds Page