Gardening for birds can bring great satisfaction and interest to the garden. There are three surprisingly basic requirements for success in attracting birds to your garden.
The three ingredients for success are food, water, and shelter.
Gardener’s have a distinct advantage in attracting birds. While everyone can put out bird feeders, a gardener can grow natural food that will be the first stop for birds every time. Hopefully, they will become permanent or at least seasonal residents. The following plants provide a food source for birds: Sunflowers, Rose-of-Sharon, American Holly, Winterberry Holly, Serviceberry, Hawthorne, Oaks, American Arborvitae, Witch-Hazel and Elderberry.
Birds need water to drink as well as to bathe. A Birdbath, or water feature of any size, no matter the material, will instantly attract many bird families. Be sure to change the water regularly to keep it fresh and clean.
Providing shelter in the form of housing and plants is a must as birds need protection from predators, wind, rain and snow. Birdhouses come in all shapes, sizes and types. Be sure to pick one for the kind of birds you hope to attract to your garden. The following plants provide shelter for birds: Linden, Bald cypress, Norway Spruce, White Pine, Yew, American Arborvitae and Bayberry.