Plant A Garden For The Birds Sharon Merhalski

Whatever the size or shape of your garden, or whether it is predominately sun or shade, you can build bird friendly elements into your garden.  There are also many kinds of annuals, perennials, shrubs and trees that lend themselves to the habitat of birds.

Food Supply

For a regular food supply for birds, choose a variety of shrubs that bear fruit during different times of the year.  Suggestions:  Cotoneaster, Juniper, Bayberry, Snowberry, American cranberry bush, or check with your local gardener for types that do well in your growing zone.

Water

A source of water is essential for a bird garden.  It can be as simple as a bowl of water on a bench, a concrete birdbath, or a small pond. 

Shelter

Tall natural grasses make a natural woodland look and source of food and shelter in a backyard garden for birds.  Birdhouses placed around the garden also provide nesting places and shelter.  I have put several on the handles of old shovels so that I can put the shovel head into the ground and have the bird house stationary but able to be moved in for the winter---or to another part of the garden.  Also hang some from the trees or place some on the fence.

Garden Structure

Try to avoid creating a symmetrical look in a bird garden.  The more natural looking the better.  A natural habitat has curves and clumps, not straight lines.

Plants

Many plants lend themselves to a bird garden and provide food for the birds:

• Annuals: Cosmos, Moss rose
• Perennials:  Aster, Coreopsis, Echinacea purple, Ornamental grasses, Rudbeckia, Pincushion flower, Goldenrod

Trees

Trees provide a place for the birds to live and to hide.  Pine trees provide year around shelter and fruit or nut bearing trees provide food. Suggestions:Maple, Hawthorne, Pine

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