On this page you'll discover the following plant material suggestions for birdscaping:
Flowers
Shrubs and Vines
Trees
Flowers for Hummingbirds
IMPORTANT to remember

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Native Plants are
Good Choices for Birdscaping

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.  They  abound with all they need.  Using this information as a guide it makes sense to incorporate some bird-attracting native plans as you landscape your bird garden.

Birdscaping by adding native plants helps mimic natural habitat that is rapidly being lost.  It is the ideal way to enhance your yard for the benefit of birds and nature, in general.

Creating an Eden for Birds

A good place to begin birdscaping is by taking an inventory of the plants you have growing in your yard.  You may discover you already have some valuable wildlife plants.

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.

Create a natural effect  when planting ... group an odd number (3,5,7) of the same kind of plant in a natural looking way avoiding the "straight-line" look.  An undulating line of plants looks more like a woodland than an urban landscape.

Another good idea is to select plants that will have mature fruit at different times of year providing food year-round for birds.

Try to choose some birdscaping plants that are native to your area.  Your local county extension service, local gardening clubs, horticultural societies, nurseries or library are good places to learn what will work best in your garden.  These recommended bird books related to bird gardening may also be helpful.

FLOWERS FOR BIRDSCAPING - Plant flowers that are visually attractive to you.  Birds aren't attracted in the same visual sense that we are.  They are attracted to the natural look.  Plants that have an asterisk (*) by their name grow seed heads that can be left to dry to provide food.  As birds become accustomed to eating in your yard they will develop a certain dependency on what they find there.

During the winter and spring months natural food becomes scarcer so provide seed, fruit and suet especially during these times ... as well as year-round.

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 of the year, so by doing some planning your bird garden will help birds during every season.  Shrubs and vines are also great for adding special interest to our gardens when planting them as backdrops, screens, barriers, hedges and background. 

FLOWERS FOR HUMMINGBIRDS - There are many flowering plant species available at 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 species native to your area.

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.  When placing feeders near windows it is recommended to camouflage the windows to avoid birds crashing into them.  We use Window Alert with great success with hummingbirds, and they work as well to avoid other types of birds from striking windows.