It is a truth universally acknowledged that birds bring life to a garden. While an exquisitely-manicured garden can be both an object of pride and envy, there’s something unsettling about a quiet and still garden. Something’s just, well, missing. Add a pair of robins sunning themselves or searching for worms, clouds of bubbly goldfinches, and the laugh-like gurgling of a wren’s song, however, and a garden is vivified and gains new excitement. In addition to providing backyard birds with food from your feeders, one of the easiest and most sustainable ways to attract birds to your garden is to plan a garden around them. Not only does it give one the satisfaction of seeing birds frolicking in the garden, it also fosters a healthy and living environment in your yard. What more could one ask for?
I was reminded of this fact by an e-mail that I received from long-time reader, Nick, a resident of Richmond, Virginia who has been coming up to Vermont for many years. Nick and his wife, have created a true backyard haven for birds and butterflies. The couple hung feeders and then planned a wildlife-friendly garden to attract more winged visitors.
The needs of backyard birds are simple to meet; they require food, water, and shelter. These needs are best met with a simple, natural garden. While the gardening tradition seems to encourage tightly-clipped bushes; sharp edges; and isolated, antiseptically-maintained flowerbeds, a garden that looks like it came out of a BBC drama or off the cover of a gardening magazine might not be the best way to attract feathered visitors. Birds prefer something fashioned by the hand of Mother Nature, with plants native to the region and varied depths and heights of plants. Not only does a garden composed of plants native to the region promise to attract more birds, it also requires less worry and attention than a garden of exotic and annuals. Here are several simple rules to consider when planning a bird-centric garden:
1. Provide a year-round banquet for birds. While the majority and greatest variety of birds are around during the spring and summer months, don’t forget the birds when they need you most—the autumn and the winter, when natural resources are scarce. Fruiting shrubs are a good option for year-round feeding. Good choices include viburnums, sumacs, holly, and cotoneaster.
2. Plant flowers that provide seeds. Thistle, sunflowers, liatris, and tickseed are popular with goldfinches and other small birds.
3. Remember that hummingbirds have special needs. Flowers for hummers should be brightly-colored and tubular. Good choices include bee-balm, hosta, mallow, catmint, fringed bleeding heart, cardinal flowers, trumpet flowers, and touch-me-nots.
4. Planting flowers, grasses, and shrubs at different heights provides protection and gives a flat garden texture and depth and gives birds protection from the elements and from predators.
Working from these simple guidelines, one can create a garden that is more bird friendly. And, of course, the helpful people at your local nursery can help you with planning a bird garden. So, get out your shovel and get going!
If you’re interested in other tips regarding gardening for birds, or have any questions about this column or a sighting check me out on the web at www.watchthebirdsvermont.blogspot.com or send me an e-mail at chickadee@att.net. Happy birding and gardening!
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