Shrubs For Attracting Songbirds: How Bushes Bring Birds To The Garden With Food And Shelter
Creating a haven for native bird species in your garden landscape is as simple as incorporating certain shrubs and bushes that double as feeding and nesting grounds. These plants offer vital sheltering branches for birds seeking refuge from predators or looking to construct their nests, while also providing a reliable source of sustenance. As an added benefit, many of these shrubs attract birds with their edible offerings, drawing them in with irresistible appeal.
Butterfly Bushes Also Attract Birds
While Butterfly Bush (Buddleia davidii) is renowned as a staple for butterfly gardens, its loose, sprawling growth habit inadvertently attracts an array of other wildlife. The varieties boasting vibrant red flowers are particularly notable for drawing hummingbirds to the garden in late spring or summer, when their nectar-rich blooms are at peak attractiveness.
Small, predatory birds like orioles and others find an abundance of insect life congregating around the butterfly bush a delectable feast. Moreover, the open, bushy growth habit provides ample shelter for feathered visitors to hide and seek refuge – a crucial aspect in creating a wildlife-friendly environment.
Evergreen Hollies for Food and Shelter
The image of a bird perched on the branches of a holly shrub, its greenery a striking backdrop against winter’s chill, is one that evokes a sense of serenity and harmony with nature. But what makes this scene so ubiquitous? The answer lies in the remarkable ability of hollies to attract an astonishing array of birdlife to the garden landscape. From wild turkey to doves, blackbirds, goldfinches, and bobwhites, a diverse cast of feathered friends can be expected to flock to these shrubs.
With hundreds of varieties to choose from, many of which thrive in almost any climate zone, hollies offer gardeners across the United States a versatile and effective way to create a wildlife-friendly environment. And at the heart of their appeal lies the winter berries that provide a vital source of sustenance when other food sources may be scarce.
Colorful Viburnum Berries to Feed Birds
Viburnum shrubs are a haven for birds, providing an astonishing 30+ species with an abundance of food. These shrubs produce beautiful spring flowers that ripen into fruit during the later summer and winter months, offering a kaleidoscope of colors including yellow, red, and purple berries. Some viburnum varieties boast evergreen foliage, while others showcase stunning deciduous fall colors in shades of red, yellow, or orange.
In addition to providing sustenance, other shrubs that attract birds include cotoneaster, juniper, bayberry, snowberry, elderberry, sassafras, and wild cherry. By incorporating these plants into your landscape, you can create a bird-friendly environment that attracts a diverse range of species.
