This week’s Bite-Sized Bed is called Bird Buffett, and you guessed it, we’re planting to support our feathered friends. This bed is designed as an island that can be built into your open lawn or along a fence or property line. It’s built to be pretty from any angle it’s viewed at and to keep the feeder and the water source fairly separated, which is how birds prefer it, and includes a large shrub or small tree for both food and protection
Below is a list of plants recommended by the Audubon Society and other bird sources.
- Trees: In general you want a mix of evergreen and deciduous trees to provide shelter and food.
- Serviceberry :Produces early-season berries relished by robins and bluebirds.
- Flowering Dogwood : Provides spring blossoms and nutrient-rich fall berries. Birds that love them: Cardinals, titmice, and bluebirds
- American Holly: A vital winter food source with bright red berries.
- Teddy Bear Magnolia: Provide seeds in the fall and winter
- Redbud: Cardinals, songbirds, goldfinches eat he seed
- Shrubs:
- American Beautyberry : Provides brilliant purple berries in late summer.
- Spicebush : Early flowers attract pollinators, and berries feed thrushes and vireos.
- Buttonbush: 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.
- Elderberry: Produces heavy clusters of dark blue fruits in summer.
- Arrowwood Viburnum : Offers spring flowers and autumn berries.
- Blueberries: Attracts insects, offers flowers and most importantly—berries for birds
- Perennials:
- Black-eyed Susan : Seed heads attract finches and sparrows.
- Purple Coneflower : Provides nectar and abundant seeds.
- Cardinal Flower : A hummingbird favorite with brilliant red blooms.
- Milkweed: Attracts insects vital for baby birds and supports monarch butterflies.
- 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.
- False Sunflowers: Heavy seed production feeds numerous species.
- Globe Thistle: Seeds are a food sources and finches use them for nesting materials
- Bee-Balm: Supports hummingbirds, attracts edible insects and seeds in winter
- Giant Hyssop: Supports Hummingbirds, attracts insects for food, and seeds can be used for food source if you leave the spent flowers up in the fall
BONUS: Purchase your plants from us and email info@autumnhillnursery.com some pictures of your Bite Sized Bird Buffet, and we’ll send you a gift card for $20!
