Garden-Enhancing Vegetation: 21 Species Guaranteed to Attract Feathered Companions to Your Outdoor Space
In an effort to create a thriving, bird-friendly backyard, it is essential to plant a diverse mix of native plants that cater to the needs of different bird species throughout the year. This includes providing food, shelter, and nesting materials.
One key strategy is to incorporate **fruit-bearing plants** into your garden. Serviceberries, for instance, produce juicy purple berries favoured by robins, cardinals, and waxwings, while elderberries attract over 120 bird species and offer shelter as well as food for migratory birds. Holly (Ilex aquifolium) is an evergreen plant with bright red berries that persist into winter, feeding robins, bluebirds, and cedar waxwings. Mulberry and Crabapple trees provide summer fruits for cardinals, grosbeaks, warblers, jays, and chickadees.
**Seed-producing plants** are crucial for birds like goldfinches, sparrows, and chickadees, especially during fall and winter. Coneflowers and Black-eyed Susans are loved by seed-eaters and supportive to pollinators during summer, while their seed heads sustain goldfinches and chickadees well into fall.
To attract hummingbirds and pollinators, particularly in late summer when nectar sources wane, consider planting **nectar-rich flowers**. The cardinal flower, with its tubular red flowers, attracts hummingbirds and thrives in moist, partially shaded areas. Other open-petal native flowers allow easy access for pollinators and support the broader insect food web.
Plants for **shelter and nesting** are equally important. Shrubs and dense foliage like elderberries provide cover, while tall perennials such as milkweed offer fluffy seeds birds use for nesting material and sturdy perches.
It is crucial to plant native species as they support beneficial insects critical for insectivorous birds and provide natural food and habitat. Varying plant types and structure, such as including trees, shrubs, and flowers, creates diverse habitats accommodating different feeding and nesting preferences, enhancing bird diversity.
Beyond planting, additional tips to support birds include leaving leaf litter for overwintering insects, adding bird baths and feeders to supplement natural food and water, and using bird tape on windows to prevent collisions and ensure bird safety.
By planting a combination of native fruiting trees and shrubs, seed and nectar-producing flowers, and plants providing shelter and nesting materials, you create a vibrant, sustainable habitat that supports many bird species throughout all seasons. Mexican sunflowers, dogwood trees, oaks, chokeberries, asters, spicebush, crabapple trees, magnolias, and beautyberry are just a few examples of bird-friendly species that can transform your yard into a bird-watching haven.
- To supplement the food sources in your thriving backyard, consider introducing decorative elements like bird feeders and baths.
- For a fashion-and-beauty touch, consider incorporating bird-friendly perennials like Mexican sunflowers and beautyberry into your home-and-garden decor.
- To maintain a healthy soil for your garden, avoid disturbing the ecosystem by minimalizing digging and planting directly from seeds whenever possible.
- Adopting a pet like a dog or a cat can lead to a healthy lifestyle due to the regular exercise required for pet care.
- When planning your garden, remember to include a variety of annuals and perennials to keep the flowers blooming throughout the year.
- When embarking on travel, consider visiting places known for their diverse bird populations to document and appreciate the variety of birds in different environments.
- By planting a diverse mix of plants that cater to various bird species and their needs, you can contribute to the welfare of relationships within the bird community.
- Before purchasing new cars, consider their environmental impact in terms of fuel efficiency and pollution levels to minimize carbon footprints.
- During shopping trips, be mindful of the products you buy and prioritize those with eco-friendly packaging to support sustainable lifestyles.
