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Bird Gardening
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Birds rely on the resources that nature provides. Scientific research has proven that birds prefer certain native plants with which they have co-evolved. These plants provide fruits, nuts, insects, perches, shelter, and nesting sites . . . safe places that abound with all that they need. Using this information as a guide it makes sense to incorporate some bird-attracting native plants as you bird garden your landscape. 
Next, you'll want to create some diversity. That can be accomplished by creating multiple layers of vegetation -- that is, plants that grow to different heights. Beginning at ground level with grass and ground covers, then increase the height with flowers, shrubs, small trees and large trees. Arrange smaller plants in front of larger ones. A tall border of trees on the perimeter will draw birds to your oasis.
| Agapanthus | Figwort | Marigold |
| Aloe | Firepink | Mints |
| *Aster | Fireweed | Milkweed |
| *Bachelor's Button | *Floss Flower | Nicotiana |
| *Bee Balm | Foxglove | *Penstemons |
| Bird of Paradise | *Four O'Clocks | Petunia |
| Black-eyed Susan | Fushia | Phlox |
| Buttercups | Gilia | *Purple Cornflower |
| Butterfly Bush | *Goldenrod | Red Hot Poker |
| Butterfly Weed | Hibiscus | Sage |
| Century Plant | Honeysuckle | Salvia |
| *Cockscomb | Horsemint | *Snapdragon |
| Columbines | Indian Paintbrush | *Spider Flower |
| Coreopsis | Impatiens | *Sunflowers |
| *Cosmos | Iris | *Tickseed |
| Crimson Monkey Flower | Lantana | Trumpet Vine |
| Daylilies | *Larkspur | Yarrow |
| Eaton's Firecracker | Lily of the Nile | *Zinnia | Fairy Doctor | California Poppy | Chrysanthemum |
SHRUBS AND VINES FOR BIRDSCAPING - These mid-size plants provide hiding places, resting spots and quick cover from predators. Another major importance is the food they provide throughout the year. These plants mature and provide food at different times and by doing some planning our bird gardening will help birds during every season. Shrubs and vines also are great for adding special interest to our gardens when planting them as backdrops, screens, barriers, hedges and background.American Cranberry Bush Creeping Juniper Manzanita American Elderberry Dahoon Holly Myrtle Barbados Cherry Elderberry Nannyberry Bayberry English Ivy Northern Bayberry Bearberry Firethorn Oregon Grape Beautyberry Florida Myrsine Pagoda Dogwood Blackberry Florida Tetrazygia Pyracantha Black Currant Florida Trema Raspberry Blueberry Grape Red-osier Dogwood Boxwood Hawthorn Rose Brambles Highbush Blueberry Salal Chokeberry Holly Silverberry Common Spicebush Honeysuckle Spicewood Common Juniper Huckleberry Staghorn Sumac Cotoneaster Japanese Yew Sumac Creeping Juniper Jasmine (day/night blooming) Viburnum Crowberry Juniper Virginia Creeper Cowberry Laurel Oak Wax Myrtle Crabapple Live Oak Witchhazel Cranberry Bush Marlberry Yew
TREES FOR BIRDSCAPING - Trees provide shelter and safety for birds and a dense growth at the perimeter of your property will attract them. Some trees also provide food in the form of seeds, berries and sap . . . see asterisk (*) plants below for examples. Planting more than one variety of tree, mixing small and large sizes, will form a backdrop for your shrubs and flowers. Different tree sizes will accommodate a wider variety of birds as roosting and nesting sites.
American Holly Cypress Mulberry *American Mountain Ash Dogwoods Oaks Apple Douglas Fir Olive Ash *Downy Serviceberry Palms Avocado Eastern Hemlock Pecan Austrian Pine *Eastern Red Cedar Persimmon Bald Cypress Elms Plum Bayberry Eucalyptus Ponderosa Pine Beech Figs Red Cedar Birch *Flowering Crabapple *Red Mulberry Black Cherry *Flowering Dogwood Red-osier Dogwood Black Gum Gray Dogwood Rocky Mountain Juniper Black Walnut Hackberry Serviceberry Butternut *Hawthorn Silky Dogwood California Juniper Hazelnut Sumac Cedar (Juniper) Japanese Maple *Sugar Maple Cherry Loquat White Cedar Chestnut Magnolia *White Oak Colorado Blue Spruce Maples Wild Tamarind Crabapples ... ...
FLOWERS FOR HUMMINGBIRDS - There are many flowering plant species available in your local nursery that draw hummingbirds. Hummers are highly attracted to tubular flowers that are red; however, they will visit flowers of any color. When choosing flowering plants for hummingbirds try to choose early, mid and late-blooming varieties. The best choice would be native species.We have hummingbirds buzzing all around our yard here in Southern California . . . attracted to many of our flowering plants. However, we've found hanging baskets of fushias near feeders does a great job of drawing these little charmers to the feeders. The feeders are hung near our windows so we get some wonderful up close views.
Azaleas Firebush Penstemon (red) Bee Balm Fire Pink Phlox Blazing Star Foxglove Powderpuff Bleeding Heart Fushias Quince (flowering) Buckeye (red) Gillias Red Hot Poker Cape Honeysuckle Hollyhocks Salvia Cardinal Flower Honeysuckle Scarlet Creeper Century Plant Impatiens Scarlet Milkweed Columbine Indian Paintbrush Scarlet Sage Coral Bells Lantana Shrimp Plant Crabtree (flowering) Lily Sweet William Crimson Columbine Nasturtium Trumpet Creeper Dame's Rocket Necklace Pod Turk's Cap Delphinium Paintbrush Yucca
IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER - Don't use dangerous products such as pesticides, herbicides or insecticides in or around your garden . . . especially in the bird area. These chemicals are poisonous and can kill your birds and harm other wildlife. There are many organic products available to take care of all your gardening needs. It makes good sense to avoid the use of chemicals and we were interested in alternatives to protect the wildlife visiting our yard . . . as well as our family, of course. Much to our delight we've found a great company that provides excellent alternatives to manage our yard organically. Because good quality and cost management are important we're happy to recommend this excellent organic gardening company for all your bird gardening and general yard care needs.
We have a special feathered friend to introduce. You'll discover all about him by joining
David's Wild Bird Club . You can also visit Parrots to find out who he is and about all about his friends.
David's mission is to keep you updated. He'll share bird watching information, tips, specials on products you may be considering, and interesting contributions from other members. To join, just add your first name and email address to the form in the left column and you'll be part of our bird loving family.
Yes! David, I'd love a FREE membership to your Private Club!
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