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Plants that attract birds


10 Plants for a Bird-Friendly Yard

Native Plants

Choose native plants like these to beautify your real estate and provide food for birds.

By National Audubon Society

March 13, 2015

   

By National Audubon Society

March 13, 2015

Popular Stories

Illustration: Greg Mably

Looking to spruce up your yard this spring? Try growing more native plants – plants that naturally occur in the area where you live. Gardening with native plants has many benefits: They’re beautiful, they’re already adapted to your precipitation and soil conditions, and they don’t need artificial fertilizers or pesticides. Of course the biggest benefit might be that native plants are great for birds and other wildlife.

Native plants provide nectar for hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees. They provide nourishing seeds and irresistible fruits for your feathered neighbors, and they offer places to nest and shelter from harm. They’re also a critical part of the food chain—native insects evolved to feed on native plants, and by and large, backyard birds raise their young on insects, explains Douglas Tallamy, the author of Bringing Nature Home. Take the Carolina Chickadee: A single clutch of four to six chicks will gobble up more than 9,000 caterpillars in the 16 days between when they hatch and when they leave the nest. So thriving insects mean thriving birds.

The key is to pick the right plants for your area. Here are 10 great plants to get you thinking about the possibilities—but remember, there are thousands of native plants out there. Search Audubon's native plants database to create a list of plants native to your area and get connected to local native plant resources. You'll also find even more resources listed further down the page.

Native Flowering Plants:

Purple Coneflowers (
Echinacea spp.)

Coneflowers are a tried-and-true garden staple, and wildlife are drawn to them, too.

Birds that love them: These beautiful blooms attract butterflies and other pollinators during the summer and provide seeds for goldfinches and other birds in the fall.

Where they’re native: Some of these species, like Echinacea purpurea and Echinacea pallida, are great native plants to grow in the plains states. Coneflowers grow well most places, so check for the species native to your region.

Sunflowers (
Helianthus spp.)

Sunflowers may signify loyalty and longevity for people, but they mean food for many birds.

Birds that love them: Birds often use the sunflower seeds to fuel their long migrations.

Where they’re native: Helianthus ciliaris in the Southwest and central United States and Helianthus angustifolius in the eastern United States produce seeds in bulk.  

Milkweed (
Asclepias spp.)

Milkweed is best known for hosting monarch butterfly caterpillars, but they attract loads of insects that are great for birds, too. Bonus: the flowers are gorgeous.

Birds that love them: Some birds, like the American Goldfinch, use the fiber from the milkweed to spin nests for its chicks. Goldfinches, and other birds, also use the downy part of the seed to line their nests.

Where they’re native: It's likely one or more species of milkweed is native to your area—try butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa) in hot dry areas, while swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnata) is great in wet areas or gardens.

Cardinal Flower (
Lobelia cardinalis)

The cardinal flower’s bright red petals resemble the flowing robes worn by Roman Catholic cardinals, after which it was named.

Birds that love them: While few insects can navigate the long tubular flowers, hummingbirds feast on the cardinal flower’s nectar with their elongated beaks.

Where they’re native: This moisture-loving plant is native across large portions of the country, including the East, Midwest, and Southwest.

Native Vines:

Trumpet Honeysuckle (
Lonicera sempervirens)

One of the top most well-behaved vines to plant in your garden, the multitudes of red tubular flowers are magnets for hummingbirds.

Birds that love them: This vine’s nectar attracts hummingbirds while many birds like Purple Finches and Hermit Thrushes eat their fruit. During migration, Baltimore Orioles get to the nectar by eating the flowers.

Where they’re native: Trumpet honeysuckle grows natively in the northeast, southeast, and midwest portions of the United States. The sweetly scented Japanese honeysuckle is actually an exotic invasive—but if you swap it with native trumpet honeysuckle, you’ll attract plenty of birds.

Virginia Creeper (
Parthenocissus quinqefolia)

The Virginia creeper, also known as woodvine, may be best known for its similarity to poison ivy, but its leaves are harmless to your skin. While people may intentionally avoid it, many birds rely on its fruit during the winter.

Birds that love them: It’s a key food source for fruit-eating birds, such as mockingbirds, nuthatches, woodpeckers and blue jays.

Where they’re native: Parthenocissus vitacea, a related species known as thicket creeper, is native to the American West while Parthenocissus quinqefolia can be found in the Great Plains and eastern United States.

Native Shrubs:

Buttonbush (
Cephalanthus occidentalis)

Showy flowers and fruit make buttonbush a popular choice in native gardens and along pond shores.

Birds that love them: In addition to beautifying a pond, they also provide seeds for ducks and other waterfowl. Their magnificent flowers also attract butterflies—and other pollinators.

Where they’re native: The buttonbush, Cephalanthus occidentalis, is native to the wetlands of California and the eastern half of the United States.  

Elderberry (
Sambucus spp.)

Elderberry is a versatile plant that has been used to make dye and medicine by people across the United States, as well as being a showy shrub for the landscape.

Birds that love them: Its bright dark blue fruits (which we use for jam) provide food for many birds within its range, including the Brown Thrasher and Red-eyed Vireo, and dozens of other birds.

Where they’re native: Sambucus canadensis is native to most of the eastern United States, while red elderberry (Sambucus racemosa) is found in most states except for those south of Nebraska and those along the Gulf of Mexico.

Native Trees:

Oak (
Quercus spp.)

From southern live oaks to California black oaks, these large beautiful trees are a favorite for many people across the country—not to mention the great summer shade they provide. These trees are also an integral part of the food chain, so planting just one really helps your yard’s diversity.

Birds that love them: Similarly, many species of birds use the cavities and crooks of these trees for nesting and shelter. Birds are also drawn to the abundance of insects and acorns that are found on oaks—to learn more, check out Doug Tallamy’s work.

Where they’re native: If you want to plant an oak, be sure to plant one native to your area, such as the shumard oak in the Southeast or the Oregon white oak in the Pacific Northwest.

Dogwoods (
Cornus spp.)

Nothing says spring quite like a dogwood full of newly-bloomed flowers.

Birds that love them: Cardinals, titmice, and bluebirds all dine on the fleshy fruit of dogwood trees.

Where they’re native: If you live in the Pacific Northwest, you can grow native Cornus nuttallii and for those in the eastern United States, choose either the Cornus alternifolia or the Cornus florida.

By incorporating native plants into your landscape, you’re creating a sanctuary that benefits wildlife.

The 10 plants listed are a great starting point—they’re easy to grow, they’re great for birds, and most can be found at nurseries. To find species that are native to right where you live, search Audubon's native plants database. You can create a list of plants native to your area and get connected to local native plant resources. Explore the Plants for Birds pages to learn more.  

Other Online Resources

How to Buy Native Plants
Bringing Nature Home

Books:

Bringing Nature Home…Doug Tallamy
The Living Landscape….Doug Tallamy and Rick Darke
The American Woodland Garden….Rick Darke
Gardening and Propagating Wildflowers, Growing and Propagating Native Trees and Shrubs….William Cullina

Additional reporting by Shannon Palus and Tessa Stuart. 

Planting for Birds: Flowers and Plants That Birds Like

Attract more birds to your yard with these seasonal plant picks. Grow flowers and plants that birds like to attract a flock.

Courtesy Laura PettigrewZinnias are attractive to various seed-eating songbirds, but ruby-throated hummingbirds also stop by for nectar.

To attract birds with flowers, you’ve got to have the right plants that birds like. A lot of flowers, shrubs and trees adorn your backyard with interesting textures, bright colors and delicious scents. Use this guide to make sure you give the birds and other creatures what they need most in your yard in every season.

For a big splash of color that lasts for months, you can’t beat annual flowers. But beauty is only the beginning. Once the blooms of graceful cosmos, cheerful sunflowers, dramatic dark-leaved amaranths, bold zinnias and other easy-to-grow annuals start to fade, the real fun begins. That’s when they bring in the birds!

Even the best feeder foods often take a backseat to flower seeds. And watching a flock of goldfinches forage naturally among your plants is even more entertaining than seeing them on a tube feeder. That’s true for the dozens of bird species that avidly eat the seeds of flowers, whether it’s northern cardinals snapping up gomphrena, towhees carefully taking tithonia, or native sparrows and juncos energetically scratching beneath the marigolds. And don’t forget to mix in nectar plants for hummingbirds and berries for fruit eating birds.

Grow a goldfinch garden with their favorite plants.

Grow Plants for Birds—and Backyard Entertainment

Bob KothenbeutelMourning doves temporarily store seeds in their crop—a pocket in their throat.

Wildlife biologist Terry W. Johnson of Georgia marvels at the appeal. “When you see how small some of these seeds are, and how hard the cardinals work to get the tiny seeds when right nearby are black oil sunflower seeds at the feeder, it’s amazing!” he says. Annuals typically begin to attract songbirds in late summer, when the first flowers start to produce seeds.

“If zinnias are blooming on your deck or in your garden, keep your eyes peeled for petals scattered beneath the plants,” Terry urges. It’s a clue that goldfinches have been enjoying a late summer banquet, even before the seeds fully ripen. Terry sees the same telltale sign of bird activity beneath his containers of scarlet sage, a native wildflower that he has discovered is a favorite of northern cardinals.

Psst—make sure you grow plants for nesting birds

Watch Plants Closely for Seed Eaters

Richard Day/Daybreak ImageryIndigo bunting singing on sunflower

Seed eaters are surprisingly tricky to spot among flowers and foliage. Watch for motion—of both birds and plants. Willowy cosmos stems sway under the weight of goldfinches; marigolds and ornamental millet will bend to the ground as juncos and sparrows jump up to pull down seed heads; flashes of wings will give away cardinals, jays, chickadees and others sampling the sunflowers.

“While I was drinking my coffee and gazing out the window over the kitchen sink, I saw the globe amaranth plants in one of our deck containers violently shaking,” Terry says. “A female cardinal had landed on them and was pulling apart their flower heads! After tearing apart several blossoms to reach the tiny seeds hidden inside, the bird snipped off an entire flower head and flew away.”

Because annuals put out new blossoms, and lots of them, the bird banquet lasts for months, long after the plants are hit by a killing frost. For gardeners who may be tempted to pull out the dead plants, “simply resist the impulse to create a tidy garden,” Terry says. “Let the plants remain standing if you want to add a new facet to bird feeding. You will be providing a great source of food, and you’ll enjoy watching fascinating behavior.”

Plant these native trees that attract birds.

Attract Birds With Annuals for Every Size Garden

Steve and Dave MaslowskiRose-breasted grosbeaks, such as this one in a crabapple, have strong beaks for eating seeds.

Even a small bed of flowers will bring in the birds. So will container gardens, which Terry and his wife especially enjoy. “As we get older, our eyesight is not as good as it used to be,” he says. “Containers bring wildlife closer to the window. We don’t even have to go outside.” A bigger annual garden will attract more birds, and more kinds of birds. Not only does it offer more seeds, but it also provides the sheltering cover that makes birds feel at home.

Plant annuals around your birdbath, feeder area, garden gnome or other outdoor ornaments, and add containers of them to your garden beds. Human-made objects create a sense of orderliness, even in winter. The flower show may be finished, but songbirds add a whole second act! Try a variety of bird-favored annuals, but grow some of them in dense patches or rows of the same kind, instead of dotting them around.

A concentrated swath of color looks great in bloom—and when seeds ripen, the patch provides the cover that songbirds seek. Be sure to plant some of your annuals a few feet from a favorite window or near an outdoor sitting area, so you can watch birds seek out the seeds as long as they last.

Grow potted flowers and plants that attract hummingbirds.

Annual Flowers That Birds Like

Doreenwynja.com photographyCosmos

Birds That Eat Flower Seeds

John GillAmerican goldfinch on zinnia

Scatter annual seeds in a sunny spot and lightly cover them for blooms in as little as six weeks, or buy started plants. The most likely diners are goldfinches, native sparrows, juncos, towhees, northern cardinals and mourning doves. Surprises such as grosbeaks, crossbills, buntings, redpolls or pine siskins may show up, too.

Plants to Attract Winter BirdsCourtesy Darryl NeillAmerican robins on a beautyberry bush
  1. American bittersweet (Celastrus scandens, Zones 3 to 8) Bittersweet’s showy orange berries are a favorite of more than a dozen bird species. Growing up to 30 feet tall, this vigorous grower gives ample shelter and offers its seeds to hungry birds in the cold months. You’ll need at least one male plant for every five female plants to get fruit.
  2. American cranberrybush viburnum (Viburnum trilobum, Zones 2 to 7) A boon to gardeners and wildlife alike, this shrub grows 8 to 10 feet tall and wide. Abundant tart red berries appear in summer and stay until late winter, providing both shots of backyard color and food for birds. Plants do best in sun to partial shade and moist, well-draining soil.
  3. Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis, Zones 3 to 7) This tree is dense, with a pyramidal shape and clusters of small seed-bearing cones. It has a classic conifer look, offering generous cover for birds. Another plus: You have plenty of cultivars to choose from.
  4. Beautyberry (Callicarpa species, Zones 5 to 8) Beautyberry is a real showstopper in autumn. Its fall fruit lasts well into winter, or until the birds devour the last bunches of bright-purple berries. Beautyberry is a fast-growing shrub that will reach about 4 feet in height.
  5. Black chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa, Zones 3 to 9) A lovely and low-maintenance shrub year-round, this chokeberry develops bluish-black fruit that attracts songbirds in fall and winter. Plants grow to be 3 to 6 feet tall and up to 10 feet wide; they do best in sun or part shade and moist, well-draining soil.
  6. Blue spruce (Picea pungens, Zones 2 to 8) Birds love the thick branches and prickly needles that provide winter shelter. The cones produce seed for food. This tree will do best in full sun and will grow up to 60 feet tall.
  7. Boxwood (Buxus species, Zones 4 to 9) Often used for hedges and topiaries, this dense evergreen shrub is covered in masses of green or variegated foliage and thrives in partial shade. Its density makes it a favorite of birds for winter cover. Many slow-growing cultivars reach just 5 feet or less.
  8. Firethorn (Pyracantha coccinea, Zones 5 to 9) Looking for beauty in your backyard beyond fall? Firethorn has glossy green foliage for most of the year, but it’s the compact bunches of pea-size berries that get all the attention.
  9. Hawthorn (Crataegus, Zones 3 to 9) Commonly used as a border tree in backyard landscapes, hawthorn is a haven for birds looking for nesting and perching sites. The tree thrives in full sun and grows to be 20 to 45 feet tall.
  10. Hemlock (Tsuga, Zones 4 to 8) Hemlock trees are shade-tolerant, especially when they’re young, and are popular for hedges. One variety in particular, Cole’s Prostrate, has a weeping look with a low, spreading habit and cascading branches. It provides dense shelter for ground-feeding birds like towhees and juncos.
  11. Holly (Ilex species, Zones 5 to 9) This winter classic is practically a necessity for bird lovers. Its beautiful green foliage supplies winter protection for flying visitors, and its bright berries are nourishing. Different holly species range from small bushes to 60-foot trees.
  12. Red chokeberry (Aronia arbutifolia, Zones 4 to 9) Growing 6 to 10 feet high, this resilient shrub does well even in poor soil, tolerating wet and dry conditions. It has small white or reddish blooms in spring, glossy foliage in summer and bright-red berries in fall and early winter.
  13. Serviceberry (Amelanchier species, Zones 3 to 9) These small trees or shrubs provide four seasons of interest in just about any landscape. The berries draw northern mockingbirds, brown thrashers, northern flickers, downy woodpeckers and more later in the year.
  14. Sumac (Rhus species, Zones 3 to 10) Sumac is a durable shrub or small tree that’s attractive year-round. In winter, it boasts spikes of red fruit that are an excellent source of nutrition for winter residents.
  15. Winterberry (Ilex verticillata, Zones 3 to 9) Few deciduous shrubs are as showy in winter as winterberry. It drops its leaves in fall, so nothing detracts from the brilliance of the red berries. Many gardeners find winterberry a must for cold-weather landscaping, and it’s easy to see why. You’ll love the colorful fruit, and the birds will love you for growing it.

Plants to Attract Spring BirdsCourtesy Deanna MayhewCardinals in a redbud tree
  1. Bachelor’s buttons (Centaurea cyanus, annual) Also known as cornflowers, bachelor’s buttons bloom in late spring through summer. The wide purple and bluish flowers look like buttons. For spring blooms, be sure to sow seeds in early fall. Likely visitors are finches, buntings and sparrows.
  2. Baptisia (Baptisia, Zones 3 to 9) These pretty flowers look like pea blossoms and are usually blue. A single plant can grow to be 5 feet high and 2 feet wide. Baptisia sprouts interesting seedpods that will bring in the birds.
  3. Buckeye (Aesculus species, Zones 3 to 8) If you’re looking to add some charm to your landscape, plant a buckeye shrub or small tree. The leaves of red buckeye are distinctive, and the showy red flowers will attract hummingbirds while providing shelter for other birds in spring.
  4. Butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa, Zones 3 to 9) Not solely for butterflies, this plant is truly multipurpose. Hummingbirds, too, love its nectar, and goldfinches and orioles are among the birds that use the silky seed down as nesting material.
  5. Camellia (Camellia, Zones 6 to 11) This popular evergreen flowers in the fall, winter or early spring, depending on the variety. Ideal for landscaping, it has lovely rose-shaped blooms, usually in red, pink or white. Birds will appreciate the shrub during nesting season. Expect camellia to be anywhere from 3 to 20 feet high.
  6. Cherry (Prunus species, Zones 3 to 9) Beautiful pink blooms open in spring, and small red or black fruit appears in summer. The birds will welcome the shelter and eat up the berries in summer. Cherry trees come in dwarf varieties if you don’t want a large one.
  7. Columbine (Aquilegia, Zones 3 to 9) The blooms of columbine are truly stunning. Hummingbirds and butterflies love them, too! Remove spent blossoms to encourage more to form into early summer. Avoid fertilizing too much, which results in fewer blooms.
  8. Foxglove (Digitalis, Zones 3 to 10) Foxglove is a short-lived perennial or a biennial. Its tubular, bell-shaped blooms come in a variety of colors: apricot, pink, golden brown, coppery rose and more. Hummingbirds love the flowers.
  9. Fuchsia (Fuchsia species, annual to Zone 8) Fuchsia’s showy red, white, pink and purple blooms will capture your heart and bring in the hummingbirds. There are more than 100 kinds, from low-growing dwarfs to upright varieties. Most plants are 6 to 24 inches. Fuchsia grows best in partial shade.
  10. Lupine (Lupinus perennis, Zones 3 to 9) Lupine blooms from late spring to early summer. It grows to about 3 to 4 feet tall and produces spires of blooms that look like pea blossoms. Lupine will do best in full sun to partial shade.
  11. Phlox (Phlox, Zones 3 to 9) These old-fashioned beauties attract hummingbirds and butterflies as soon as they start blooming in spring. The flowers, prized for their scent, come in many colors, sizes and bloom times. Most varieties prefer full sun.
  12. Pine (Pinus, most zones, check species) Pines provide the shelter and nesting space that spring birds need. Plant trees any time from spring to fall in moist, well-draining soil. But beware: Some pine trees can grow to be 75 feet tall.
  13. Redbud (Cercis species, Zones 4 to 10) Redbud’s blooms attract hummingbirds and butterflies, as well as pollinating insects that benefit your backyard. The seeds appeal to chickadees, goldfinches and others, and nuthatches and woodpeckers love the insects in the bark.
  14. Red-hot poker (Kniphofia, Zones 5 to 9) It’s easy to see why this plant is also called a torch lily. Birds love this stately flower, which changes in color from yellow at the base to bright red at the tip. Depending on the cultivar, it will bloom in late spring to autumn, and attract flocks of hummingbirds along the way.
  15. Rhododendron (Rhododendron species, Zones 4 to 9) Plant rhododendron in a lightly shaded area with protection from winter sun and winds. Moist, acidic soil that drains well will help it thrive. Rhododendron offers ample shelter and enticing nectar.
  16. Viburnum (Viburnum species, Zones 3 to 10) This bush draws a variety of birds with nesting space and summer-to-winter fruit. Viburnum is among the most popular ornamental shrubs and small trees because it’s beautiful, versatile and easy to grow.

Plants That Summer Birds LikeCourtesy Tanya Jones American goldfinch on liatris
  1. Bee balm (Monarda, Zones 3 to 9) If you want to lure hummingbirds and butterflies, this easy-to-grow perennial is a good selection. Its bright colors and nectar-filled blooms attract a variety of pretty fliers. This beauty grows up to 4 feet tall and starts flowering in midsummer.
  2. Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia species, Zones 3 to 9) Birds adore this garden classic. The traditional black-eyed Susan has a dark center and bright-yellow petals, but now there are a few new color combos to choose from. Grow in full sun to light shade for blooms in summer through autumn. House finches, chickadees and American goldfinches will feed on the seed heads.
  3. Blanket flower (Gaillardia x grandiflora, Zones 3 to 9) Blanket flower will bloom all summer, showing off its red and yellow blooms with purple centers. The plant is generally 2 to 3 feet tall and does best in full sun.
  4. Coral bells (Heuchera, Zones 3 to 9) Rich, fertile soil is best and partial shade ideal for this handsome plant. Coral bells are valued for their colorful, often purple foliage. In late spring, the plant sends up attractive, long-lasting wands of tiny flowers that hummingbirds will love.
  5. Coreopsis (Coreopsis species, Zones 3 to 11) Nectar-rich blooms appeal to hummingbirds and butterflies, while the seeds provide food for sparrows, chickadees, finches and other seed-eating birds. Plant drought-tolerant coreopsis in full sun.
  6. Cosmos (Cosmos bipinnatus, annual) Birds can’t resist these colorful pinwheel-shaped blooms nestled in feathery foliage. Grow single or double cultivars in full sun, and you’ll have flowers and seeds from summer through fall.
  7. Flowering tobacco (Nicotiana alata, annual) For a no-fuss way to liven up your garden with hummingbirds and butterflies, plant flowering tobacco. The stems rise from a rosette of leaves and are covered with star-shaped flowers in shades of pink, red, maroon, lavender, white, yellow and even green.
  8. Liatris (Liatris spicata, Zones 3 to 9) Also called gayfeather or blazing star, this flower shines in late spring through summer. It attracts hummingbirds to its spikes of lavender, rose or white blossoms. American goldfinches, tufted titmice and other seed eaters savor its seed heads.
  9. Penstemon (Penstemon species, Zones 3 to 10) Hummingbirds love these red, purple, blue, pink and white flowers on plants that reach up to 4 feet, blooming profusely for most or all of the summer. Full sun and well-draining soil are ideal; damp or rich soil makes penstemon rot.
  10. Primrose (Primula vulgaris, Zones 4 to 8) English primrose is a favorite of hummingbirds, butterflies and bees because of its alluring fragrance in early summer. It’s generally a profuse bloomer, doing best in partial shade.
  11. Purple coneflower (Echinacea species, Zones 3 to 10) The large, showy blooms of coneflowers will attract birds, butterflies and bees. Plant bare-root perennials in spring, or plant container-grown specimens any time during the growing season. Cut back half your coneflowers in early summer to delay flowering and prolong overall bloom time.
  12. Salvia (Salvia species, Zones 4 to 9) Annual salvia is a garden favorite, but don’t forget the perennials. Loose flower spires reach heights from 1 to 5 feet. The blooms come in bright shades of red, maroon, purple and indigo—and hummingbird love them!
  13. Stokesia (Stokesia laevis, Zones 5 to 9) Blooming from early summer until fall, stokesia boasts 3- to 5-inch-wide blue, lavender or pink blooms with ragged-toothed petals around a creamy center. Regular deadheading will extend blooms and ensure plenty of bird activity.
  14. Trumpet vine (Campsis radicans, Zones 4 to 9) Trumpet vine blooms are orange-red in color and tubular in shape, making them a favorite of hummingbirds. Surprisingly, this vine can grow to be 40 feet tall. Plant it in full sun.
  15. Yarrow (Achillea species, Zones 3 to 10) Flattened clusters of tiny flowers attract hummingbirds and butterflies, while the seeds of yarrow appeal to many songbirds.
  16. Zinnia (Zinnia, annual) An old-fashioned favorite, zinnias are best loved for their long-lasting blooms, which require minimal care. The flowers will attract hummingbirds and butterflies in the heat of summer. And without deadheading, zinnias will bloom into fall.

Plants to Attract Fall BirdsCourtesy Emma EnglandRed-eyed vireo eating dogwood berries
  1. Aster (Aster species, Zones 3 to 8) The aster brings an explosion of color to the end of the growing season, a guaranteed lure for fall butterflies. From miniature alpine plants to giants up to 6 feet tall, it will brighten up fall in your backyard. Plant early in the season in Northern states so it can get established before winter.
  2. Crabapple (Malus species, Zones 2 to 9) These highly decorative flowering trees produce small fruits that attract more than 20 bird species but are especially favored by cedar waxwings, robins and northern cardinals. Crabapple varieties tend to be 10 to 25 feet tall and grow best in full sun.
  3. Dogwood (Cornus species, Zones 2 to 8) Bursting with berries, this garden favorite feeds robins, bluebirds, cardinals and dozens of other backyard birds during the colder months. Dogwoods do best in full sun to partial shade and prefer moist soil.
  4. Elderberry (Sambucus species, Zones 3 to 9) A luxurious shrub with long, drooping branches, this elderberry produces flat white clusters of flowers that turn into purple berries in late summer. The fruit is relished by gray catbirds, robins, bluebirds and many other backyard songbirds.
  5. Fountain grass (Pennisetum alopecuroides, Zones 5 to 9) With full tufts of fuzzy flower spikes that turn into natural birdseed, fountain grass seems to be heaven-sent. One or more of its many varieties, which reach 2 to 5 feet, will add charm to your backyard wildlife habitat.
  6. Four-o’clocks (Mirabilis jalapa, annual) The blooms of four-o’clocks earn their name, opening in mid-afternoon and fading before sunrise. The nectar-rich flowers are a favorite evening stop for hummingbirds and butterflies.
  7. Goldenrod (Solidago species, Zones 3 to 9) All it takes is a few goldenrod plants to light up your garden in late summer, and provide birds a continual food source. Also, give the plants plenty of room to spread. They won’t disappoint, especially as many other plants fade.
  8. Grape (Vitis, Zones 2 to 9) This high-sugar fruit provides lots of energy for birds. The woody deciduous vines grow up to 30 feet long, thrive in full sun and produce late-summer and autumn fruit in a variety of sizes and flavors, some of which are unpalatable to humans.
  9. Joe Pye weed (Eupatorium purpureum, Zones 4 to 9) Grow Joe Pye weed in average to moist soil. It offers a great supply of seed that birds will love. Pinch back early in the season to grow shorter plants and boost flower production.
  10. Mahonia (Mahonia, Zones 5 to 11) This evergreen shrub has spiny-edged leaves and, in late summer and fall, bears clusters of blue-black berries. Various species grow from 1 to 12 feet in full sun to light shade.
  11. Marigold (Tagetes, annual) If brilliant and lasting color is what you’re looking for, look no further. Marigolds are tough garden plants that bloom through fall and attract birds. They grow to be 6 inches to 3 feet tall.
  12. Mountain ash (Sorbus species, Zones 2 to 7) A good choice for small landscapes, this medium-size mountain ash tree boasts spectacular yellow and red fall foliage. The orange fruit attracts flocks of cedar waxwings, robins, gray catbirds, thrashers, eastern bluebirds and at least a dozen other bird species.
  13. Nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus, annual) Nasturtiums will bloom from early summer straight through until frost. Extremely low-maintenance plants, they have funnel-shaped flowers and large, veined leaves. Hummingbirds and butterflies will stop to visit the blooms, and it’s also worth noting that all parts of the plant are edible for humans!
  14. Rugosa rose (Rosa rugosa, Zones 2 to 8) Love roses but hate the hassle? This fast-growing variety flourishes anywhere without the fuss. Rugosa roses handle poor soil conditions, from sandy to salty, and produce bright rose hips that attract countless birds.
  15. Sedum (Sedum species, Zones 3 to 10) Just when your other plants begin their fall decline, Autumn Fire sedum will take the spotlight with its brightening star-shaped blooms. Most sedums are hardy in all but the coldest climates. The late-autumn seed heads attract birds, including finches and chickadees, so don’t cut them back until spring.
  16. Sunflower (Helianthus annuus, annual) Sunflowers are dependable bird magnets. Cultivars range from 2 to 15 feet tall and are mainly yellow, although some varieties are red or brown. In early autumn, this stately beauty attracts all seed eaters.

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Flower garden for birds. Plants attracting birds to the garden — Botanichka

Birds bring to the garden not only cheerful chirping, polyphony and pleasant animation. They are specially attracted to gardens to protect cultivated plants from pests, because the best helpers in this matter, perhaps, cannot be found. For birds, you can simply arrange birdhouses and feeders, or you can provide for the planting of such plants in landscaping, in which they can find shelter and special treats. And this is not only about dense shrubs or special trees, but also about perennials that can attract useful birds no less than garden giants.

Flower garden for birds

If a few decades ago no one thought about garden animals, beneficial insects and birds in the context of a garden planting strategy, today attracting natural helpers and our smaller brothers is considered one of the most important tasks. Fashionable houses for insects, variations of the use of feeders, drinkers and shelters for birds and hedgehogs, additional measures to protect them when preparing the garden for winter are becoming the norm today. And landscaping, which also takes into account the diversity of fauna, attracts honey plants, beneficial insects and much larger inhabitants to the site, gives rise to new trends and trends in landscape design.

Introducing plants that are especially attractive to beneficial birds into the garden does not require extra effort or complex planning. It is enough to study the range of species that most often attract the attention of birds, and use them instead of other plants. Of course, there is no question of the complete replacement of all garden plants with "bird" ones: just a few plants in the composition of the garden are enough to attract more birds to it, and you would have the opportunity to observe their behavior, enjoying communication with nature. Almost everyone knows about shrubs that are especially fond of useful birds. But there are tools that are much smaller and easier to use, no less effectively solving the same problem of attracting birds to the garden. After all, many herbaceous plants and favorite perennials are not only beautiful, but also useful for both humans and living creatures in the garden.

The choice of plants that can attract birds to the garden is quite large. Some, thanks to lush bushes, can give shelter to birds in a storm, others - food. The use of perennials, which form seeds especially generously, allows you to change the nature of the flower garden and lure more feathered helpers into your garden. Such plants perform their useful function mainly in autumn and winter, allowing birds to feast on useful seeds in the season when food sources are scarce. But both in spring and summer, such plants lure birds in a completely different way - an abundance of insects that are usually found in flower beds with useful crops. Herbaceous perennials with chamomile or large inflorescences, consisting of many small fragrant flowers, have always been considered especially attractive for a variety of insects that birds can feast on.

Goldfinch on a cone of Echinacea purpurea. © Lorraine Hudgins

Most of the crops that can be used as bird bait are among the most popular garden perennials. These are attractive and well-dignified stars whose ability to produce a generous crop of seeds is just a nice bonus to their bright appearance.

Among the largest garden perennials, sunflowers are without a doubt the favorites of the garden's feathered guests. If you want to please the birds, you can also use annual ornamental sunflowers. But it is better to save yourself from unnecessary labor and plant perennial species as baits for birds sunflowers ( Helianthus ). Growing up to 2.5 m giant sunflower ( Helianthus giganteus ), allowing you to choose more compact varieties and forms ten-petalled sunflower ( Helianthus decapetalus ) and other species bloom magnificently and just as magnificently bear fruit. Not a single competitor competes with delicious sunflower seeds, and if you do not cover them with a net or cloth for collecting seeds, then useful birds will fully appreciate the feast prepared for them.

Ten-petal sunflower (Helianthus decapetalus). © wildstauden

Both Spotted Steeta ( Eupatorium maculatum ) and Doubtful Steeta ( Eupatorium dubium ) are attractive food sources. Powerful herbaceous perennials with straight stems and oppositely located whole lanceolate leaves surprise with a stunning height of up to 2 m, and large clumps, and a soaring cloud of inflorescences. More like fluffy caps, the scutes reach 20 cm in diameter and create a pink-purple cloud over the plant at the end of summer. After the end of a little more than a month of flowering, angular seeds, decorated with a kind of tuft, ripen. Scaffolds are good both in a single group, like tapeworms, and in the background of flower beds.

Eupatorium dubium

A real garden giant giant rudbeckia (Rudbeckia maxima) is inferior in popularity to more brightly flowering varieties of perennial rudbeckia, but is unique in its architectural silhouette, structuring of ensembles and the ability to place accents. Grey-green waxy leaves and intense yellow flower heads with original dark cones appear in late summer. And if, after flowering, the rudbeckia is not cut off, but the seeds are allowed to ripen, then the plant will not only decorate the winter garden with very resistant shoots with prickly heads, but will also serve as a real delicacy for birds due to the abundance of seeds. Of the more compact types of rudbeckia, 9 can be used as bird bait0013 brilliant rudbeckia ( Rudbeckia fulgida ).

Rudbeckia brilliant (Rudbeckia fulgida). © rangedala

Another plant with a generous seed yield, New England Aster (now reclassified as Symphyotrichum Symphyotrichum novae-angliae , but the old name is still more popular) conquers with its height. With a height of up to 2 m, this powerful autumn star in girth can reach almost a meter in diameter. The lanceolate leaves do not sit too densely, the bushes often look messy, but there are practically no count of the baskets of inflorescences up to 4 cm in diameter, collected in thick corymbs. The autumn-flowering giant aster with a pink-purple range of colors is good both singly and in a variety of compositions, and is unmatched, including as a perennial that attracts birds with an abundance of seeds.

New England aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae). © idolza

A rare guest in our gardens Vernonia Arkansas ( Vernonia arkansana ) can also be counted as autumn-colored stars. Perennial with a height of 1.5 to 2 m, forming very wide thickets, flaunts very bright oval-lanceolate greenery with a cold emerald hue and bright purple "fluffy" inflorescence baskets up to 2 cm in diameter, collected in large panicles at the top of the shoots. This plant is a lover of wet places near water bodies, which is introduced into flower beds with regular watering.

Arkansas Vernonia (Vernonia arkansana)

We should not forget about the cereals, many of which are happy to visit the birds. The main sources of food for useful birds include rod millet ( Panicum virgatum ), or crown millet. This is one of the most lush giant cereals. The switchgrass is valued primarily for its beautiful and numerous inflorescences and very wide, constantly growing sods, which are extremely variable in their growth rate. Loose, slightly collapsing bushes with a height of just over a meter to more than 2 m conquer with narrow straight leaves, with the advent of cold weather they are repainted in light beige and attract with their wide airy panicles, consisting of miniature inflorescences. Pink or red panicles decorate gardens in August and September, and then scatter numerous seeds around. Millet is perfectly preserved even in winter; when tying curtains, it can decorate gardens until spring and feed birds with medium-sized, but very nutritious seeds.

Wand millet (Panicum virgatum). © Paul Pilon

The large size of Indian grass Sorghastrum nutans ( Sorghastrum nutans ) does not detract from the fact that it produces a lot of seeds that birds love to feast on. This plant has long become a symbol of the American prairie and is considered indispensable in landscape design. With a height of one and a half to more than two meters, sorghum form amazingly lush and spectacular sods. Narrow leaves delight with different color variations and allow you to search even for plants with metallic effects, and copper panicles with yellow anthers then change their color to dark brown and hide a large number of seeds that attract birds.

Sorghastrum nutans. © bhwp

Schizachyrium paniculata ( Schizachyrium scoparium ) is one of the most graceful and rare cereals in our country. It is much more compact than competitors that attract birds, but it also looks much neater. Straight, strict sod-tussocks with a height of “only” up to 120 cm conquer with a combination of their strictly straight lines of young leaves and arcuate curving old ones. On one plant, you can observe differently colored leaves - from green to blue and even purple, which turns each curtain into a motley ripple. Spectacular copper outfits of schizakhirium are combined with inconspicuous elongated spikelets that adorn the plant and attract attention only after the start of fruiting and seed ripening. Silvery spikes glow on flower beds and seem to herald the first winter miracles, retaining their beauty even in the dead of winter.

Panicled schizachyrium (Schizachyrium scoparium)

Similar in height, but radically different in appearance from this original cereal eminent beautiful flowering American star spikelet liatris ( Liatris spicata ). This is a herbaceous perennial with upright shoots, decorated with alternately arranged narrow-linear leaves, which give all bushes an unusual graphic quality and emphasize perfectly even lines of shoots. Spectacular, as if fluffy, huge and powerful ears of lyatris inflorescences consist of small basket inflorescences, in turn consisting only of tubular flowers. In length, they reach almost half a meter and seem amazingly powerful, attracting insects in amazing quantities. After summer flowering, ribbed, hairy oblong achenes ripen in multiple quantities.

Liatris spicata. © monrovia

Echinacea purpurea ( Echinacea purpurea ) is a plant that is not only useful as a medicinal crop. Birds also like to eat healthy echinacea seeds, and the plant itself effectively decorates the garden in autumn and winter. True, if you want to introduce echinacea into a flower garden for birds, choose not the usual high meter varieties, but the most compact varieties about 60-70 cm high (for example, the Magnus variety). A large number of compact-sized inflorescences will provide more food for birds. Echinacea with its basal jagged-oval leaves, sessile lanceolate stem, strong, snow-resistant shoots and baskets of inflorescences with arched "buttons" of the center blooms from July to September, more than two months, abundantly fructifies.

Purple Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea)

If you are tired of Echinacea or you are looking for a more original plant, pay attention to the generous seeding Gaillardia grandiflora ( Gaillardia grandiflora ). She easily scatters seeds and birds often feast on them. With a height of 30 to 75 cm, this Gaillardia flaunts with pubescent oval leaves and large baskets up to 12 cm in diameter with “circles” of yellow, orange, red or brown colors. The large center of the flower is very beautiful in summer, during flowering, but it fully reveals its beauty only after the reed flowers have fallen off. During the ripening of achenes, Gaillardia decorates the flower garden very much.

Gaillardia grandiflora

Of compact plants, attention should be paid to the lowest varieties Coreopsis whorled ( Coreopsis verticillata ) about 30-40 cm high. Very narrow needle-shaped leaves form bushes, more like fennel or dill, and brightly -yellow star-chamomile inflorescences are replaced by achenes of fruits, hiding a very large number of seeds.

Whorled Coreopsis (Coreopsis verticillata). © Jessie Keith

Attract birds and seeds that ripen in large varietals Yarrow ( Achillea ). For flower beds created to attract birds to the garden, it is worth choosing varietal hybrids with the largest inflorescences of pink or red color variations.

Yarrow (Achillea)

From plants that attract birds to the garden and serve as special "magnets" for them, you can create separate flower beds or islands, spots on large flower beds and in decorative compositions. To fully enjoy all the benefits of such plants, you should follow a few rules for their placement:0003

  1. Place compositions of attracting feathered plants close to seating areas or terraces so that you have a view of the flower garden or island from the house or seating area.
  2. When selecting plants, consider the color palette and the desired flowering relay.
  3. By placing flower beds or ribbons of perennials near walls, hedges, fences, vertical structures, you increase the chances of not only visiting the garden temporarily, but also that useful birds will stay in it for a long time.
  4. Combine the use of attractive plants with additional measures to attract birds - install birdhouses, bird feeders, birdbaths, build winter shelters.
  5. Try to find secluded, quiet and warm places for such a flower garden.
  6. Plant a flower garden for birds only in sunny or only slightly shaded areas.
Garden bird drinker

Care of bird beds or areas of large arrangements that use plants attractive to birds should be slightly different from caring for ordinary flower beds. In such flower beds, only organic fertilizers are used as mulch, and faded flowers and dry aerial parts of plants are never removed in the fall so that they can serve as a temporary shelter or source of food for birds in the garden. But the most important rule is the complete rejection of the use of any non-biological insecticides and fungicides against insect pests and diseases in plants. Attracting birds will already reduce the number of harmful insects, and the use of pesticides will not only deprive the birds of part of their food, but can also create a dangerous situation for the life and health of your helper guests.

Plants that attract birds to summer cottages

In spring and summer, birds protect our garden from pests. To attract noisy flocks to a summer cottage, you can make houses for them and plant crops nearby, the seeds of which serve as food for birds.

Ten-petalled sunflower

This is a very popular type of sunflower. It has a two-meter stem with large leaves. Baskets are small, with nutritious and tasty seeds.

Ten-petal sunflower loves moisture and is resistant to frost. It can be sown directly in open ground next to a pond. The flower looks decorative until ripe and is an excellent addition to the garden.

Schisachirium paniculata

This herb creates a relaxing atmosphere in the garden. Schizachirium paniculata bushes look very compact, have graceful outlines and rather interesting colors. Such landings will easily fit into any landscape design.

The dignity of the schizacherium is not only in its spectacular outfit. Inconspicuous in appearance, elongated spikelets, when ripe, become the object of attention of birds. Birds peck at them all winter.

Whorled Coreopsis

If you want to place low herbaceous plants on the site, then you should pay attention to some types of whorled Coreopsis. It grows in small bushes and with its narrow leaves resembles dill or fennel.

Coreopsis blooms with yellow flowers that look like tiny stars. Many fruits with seeds suitable for feeding birds ripen on it.

Vernonia Arkansas

This unusual culture blooms in August and surprises for a long time with its bright inflorescences collected in gorgeous panicles. The grains are pecked with pleasure by the birds.

Vernonia is best planted near the water. Several specimens growing side by side form a spectacular landscape group. In a flower bed, a flower can be placed along with asters and heliopsis.

New England aster

The plant attracts many birds to the site due to the abundance of seeds that ripen in autumn. New England aster bushes at the end of the season are literally dotted with small baskets of pink and purple hues.

The stems of this crop are quite tall and require a tie. It is best to plant an aster near a garden fence. The soil should be moderately moist, rich in humus.

Spotted briar

The inflorescences of the briar create a huge lilac or pink cloud above the flower bed. At the end of the season, seeds with tiny tufts ripen on the bushes, which become excellent food for birds.

The crop is good in a single planting and in a mixborder as a background flower. On a hot day, the beautiful leaves and straight stems of the window sill give a light openwork shade.

Spikelet liatris

Perennial with straight shoots and spectacularly traced leaves in the middle of summer throws out spikes of inflorescences with tubular flowers. A little later, pubescent achenes ripen on the bushes. The grains attract a lot of birds to the summer cottage, which are eager to start the meal as soon as possible.

Liatris needs loose and nutritious soil with good drainage. Often this culture is planted near a pond.

Echinacea purpurea

This plant has healing properties and is widely used in folk medicine. Birds also do not neglect useful seeds. Preferably compact types of echinacea - low, bushes abundantly dotted with baskets of inflorescences give much more seeds.

Echinacea decorates the garden for about two months, until the end of the warm season. Its strong shoots with clear silhouettes look great even in winter.

Switchgrass

This perennial grass grows in all types of soil. Millet is often planted in a small group to decorate a corner of infertile soil, or sown in a flower bed as a backdrop.

The plant also thrives in lowlands with stagnant water. The culture is easily propagated by seeds and requires almost no maintenance. Bushes bloom already in the year of sowing. Millet grains are pecked with pleasure by birds.

Lustrous rudbeckia

Plantings of rudbeckia bloom in the second half of summer.

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