|
|
"I am not a lover of lawns. Rather would I see
daisies in their thousands, ground ivy, hawkweed, and even the hated plantain with tall stems, and dandelions with splendid
flowers and fairy down, than the too-well-tended lawn."
~W.H. Hudson, The Book of a Naturalist,
1919
|
|
|
 |
|
|
 |
Gardening to Attract Birds
Just as a baby learns to crawl and then walk...birders too can learn the same.
First we put out a bird feeder and some birds come. As we learn and grow, we learn new techniques and plants that birds like.
We plant them and even more birds come. We chose a favorite (or two or three) and learn what those birds like. We plant specific
plants and shrubs that will attract those birds. They come, and we are excited... What a thrill!
The lists below
are basic plants, shrubs and trees that attract birds in general. If you plant the basics of a habitat, you will begin to
attract wildlife. The basics for birds include evergreens, deciduous trees and shrubs, grasses, perennials and annuals, birdbaths,
bird houses and bird feeders. With luck (and trial and error), you will hit the right combination for success. Enjoy
your birding journey!
 Trees for Birds (with fruit, nuts or seed)- American holly (Ilex opaca) Evergreen; zones 5-9; 40-50' tall; 18-40" wide; slow
grower; full sun.
- Arborvitae (Thuja sp) Evergreen
conifers; zones 2-10; various sizes. Minimal pruning.
- Balsam
fir (Abies balsamea) Evergreen; zones 3-5; 45-75' tall; 20-25' wide; slow grower; full sun.
- Beech (Fagus sp) Deciduous; zones 4-9; medium size tree that flowers in
the spring and provides dense shade during the summer.
- Black
cherry (Prunus serotina) Zones 3-9, but varies according to species; blooms spring; 30-70' tall; 30-50'
wide; full sun.
- Black gum (Nyssa sylvatica)
Zones 4-9; 30-50' tall; 20-30' wide; full sun; slow to medium growth; well drained, acidic soil.
- Crabapple (Malus spp.) Zones 3-9; blooms spring; 10-25' tall;
10-25' wide, foliage is green and turns yellow in the fall; full sun. These have wonderful flowers and fruit birds love.
- Fir (Abies sp) Evergreen; zones 3-10; many
varieties available. Nice, woodsy fragrance.
- Flowering dogwood
(Cornus florida) Zones 2-8; blooms spring; up to 20' tall and 25' wide; full sun to part shade. Attractive
white, pink, or red flowers in spring and scarlet berries in fall.
- Hawthorns
(Crataegus sp.) Zones 3-9; blooms early summer; 20-45' tall; 20-30' wide; full sun.
- Hickories (Carya sp.) Zones 5-8; 60-80' tall; 40' wide;
full sun, slow growth.
- Magnolia (Magnolia sp)
Evergreen and deciduous; zones 4-11. Beautiful, fragrant blooms; large glossy leaves.
- Mountain Ash (Sorbus) Zones 3-7; blooms spring; 10-50' tall; 10-30' wide; full
sun to light shade. The American (Sorbus americana) variety has beautiful white blooms and great berries for the
birds.
- Mulberry (Morus species)
Medium-sized trees, 30 to 60 feet high. Fallen fruit messy: avoid planting near sidewalks or car parking areas.
- Red Bud (Cercis sp) Deciduous, zones 4-9. Trees have a beautiful purple-ish
flower in the spring and lovely shapes leaves in the summer and turns yellow in the fall.
- Red Cedar (Juniper) Zones 2-9; up to 50' tall; full sun. Cone shaped tree, producing pale blue
berries on female trees.
- Serviceberry (Amelanchier
sp.) Zones 3-9; blooms early spring; 6-40' tall; 5-30' wide; full sun to partial shade. Slow growing but beautiful.
Produces masses of white or pinkish flowers in spring and reddish berries
in summer.
Shrubs for Birds- Holly (Ilex verticillata) Hardy shrub, tolerant of wet conditions. Scarlet berries only appear on female bushes. A male and
female plant needs to be planted together.
- Northern
Bayberry (Myrica pensylvanica) Semi-evergreen shrub produces fragrant, waxy, silver-gray berries, which stay on the plant year-round.
- Pine (Pinussp.) Zones varies with species; up to 75' tall and
40' wide; full sun.
- Redosier dogwood (Cornus
stolonifera) Zones 2-7; 7-9' tall; 10' wide; full sun; fast growth.
- Rhododendron (Rhododrendronsp.) Zones 4-9; blooms late spring; 8-10' tall and wide;
partial sun to light shade. Beautiful flowers. Plant in area protected from wind and sun. Loves acidic soil.
- Spicebush (Lindera benzoin)
- Spruce (Piceasp.) Zones 2-8; up to 60' tall and 30' wide; full sun. Colorado Blue
Spruce is a great choice if you have the room.
- Sumacs (Rhus
spp.)
- Viburnums (Viburnum spp.) Zones 3-9;
blooms late spring to early summer; 4-30' tall; foliage varies on species; full sun to part shade.
Vines for Birds - American bittersweet (Celastrus scandens)
- Clematis (Clematissp.) Zones 4-9; blooms summer; 4-30 tall; 3' wide; full sun to part
shade. Colors- white, pink, purple, red, blue, yellow, multi-colored. The roots require shade while the rest of the plant
loves sun. Jackmanii is the tried and true winner. It produces many dark purple blooms. I have about a dozen different varieties.
- Honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens and related
sp.)
- Strawberry (Fragaria sp.)
- Trumpet creeper or vine (Campis radicans) Zones 4-9; blooms summer;
up to 40' tall; full sun. This vine is strong, and needs very sturdy support.
- Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia) Tree-climbing
vine with brilliant scarlet foliage in autumn. Important food plant for many bird species.
- Wild grape (Vitis sp.) Climbing vine
that provides great fruit, eaten by more than 50 bird species. Dense greenery makes it a wonderful hedge row plant.
Perennials and Annuals
- Asters
(Astersp.) Zones 5-9; blooms early summer through fall; 1-2' tall and wide; full sun to partial shade. Blue Danube
is one of my favorites.
- Bee Balm (Monarda didyma) Zones 4-9; blooms
summer; 3-4' tall; 18-26" wide; full sun. Colors- red, violet, purple, pink, white.
- Coreopsis
(Coreopsis sp.) Zone varies by species; blooms late spring through late summer; 8-48" tall; 8-36"
wide; full sun. Colors- yellow, orange, maroon, red, pink.My favorite is a variety called Moonbeam, but they are all wonderful
and drought tolerant.
- Goldenrod (Solidagosp.) Zones 3-9; blooms summer
to fall; 8-48" tall; 24-30" wide; full sun. Colors- yellow.
- Joe-pye Weed
(Eupatorium purpureum) Zones 4-9; blooms late summer and fall; 4-7' tall; full sun or light shade. These flowers
have a light vanilla scent.
- Marigold (Tagetes) Annual; blooms summer
through autumn; 6"-3' tall; 2-15" wide; full sun. Colors yellow, orange, gold, white. My favorite is a creamy
white french marigold.
- Purple Cone Flower (Echinacea) Zones 3-9;
blooms mid-summer to early fall; 2-5' tall; 2' wide; full sun. Colors- purple, pink, crimson, white, yellow, orange.
The variety Mangus is the 1998 perennial plant of the year.
- Salvia (Salviasp.)
Zones 4-10; bloom spring to fall; 1-6' tall; well drained soil; full sun. Colors- blue, purple, white, red.
- Sedum (Sedumsp.) Zones 3-8; blooms late summer until frost; 2' tall; full sun to partial
shade. Autumn Joy is a great variety.
- Sunflower (Helianthus annuus)
Zones 4-9, blooms summer to fall; 3-7' tall; moist, well drained soil; full sun. Colors-yellow.
- Zinnia (Zinnia) Annual, blooms summer to frost; 6"-3' tall; 18-24" wide;
full sun. Colors- white, yellow, orange, red, purple, lilac. Single or double blooms available. Double blooms are very pretty,
but single blooms attract more wildlife.
Back to ARTICLES
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
