7 plants to attract garden birds
Whatever the weather, garden birds need our help. With fewer wild birds visiting UK gardens and unpredictable weather taking its toll, playing our part has never been more crucial.
"Freezing water sources, strong winds, and dwindling food supplies make this time of year especially difficult for birds," says Maria Kincaid, head ornithologist at FeatherSnap.
"Shelter helps birds shield themselves from snow, strong winds, or rain, which can be particularly detrimental to smaller species. Birds such as goldfinches, wrens, and robins have smaller feathers and less mass, making them less equipped to withstand harsher weather conditions."
A bird-friendly garden not only offers food and water, but shelter, protection from predators, and nesting sites in the form of plants. But which ones are the best?
As we plan our planting schemes for the year ahead, we asked the experts for advice on the best plants to attract birds. Gardening gloves at the ready...
Sunflowers
"Treat yourself to a sunflower patch, fill it with an array of multi-coloured varieties and they'll attract a huge range of garden birds," says Holly Clark, Product Manager at Suttons.
"If you only have space for one, choose a multi-flowering variety such as the sizzling Sunflower 'Soluna Bronze' — its graceful habit is easier to accommodate in the border than single-headed types."
Sambucus 'Black Beauty'
This pink deciduous shrub is one of the best for attracting birds and other insects.
"Its burgundy-black foliage creates depth and drama, making the garden seem bigger and providing an excellent backdrop for the flat heads of pale pink flowers that appear in early summer," says Holly.
"The flowers are followed by shiny black berries that the birds will gorge on. Whilst Sambucus 'Black Beauty' can grow large if left unpruned, this is a tough shrub that will tolerate hard pruning and copes with all soils from heavy clay to thin chalk."
Guelder rose
The guelder rose stands as one of Britain's most exquisite native shrubs, with bright red fruits that grow in clusters. Holly tells us they are a magnet for birds in the autumn.
"This RHS award-winning shrub offers multiple seasons of interest with flat heads of creamy-white flowers in summer that attract pollinators followed by heavy crops of translucent red berries.
"Further interest is provided in autumn when the dark green, lobed leaves turn shades of red and purple. Perfect for small garden borders, it will thrive in most soils including heavy clays."
Pyracantha
Don't be put off by the thorns on this orange shrub: its vibrant berries are a feast for garden birds.
"Pyracantha is one of the best shrubs for providing cover from predators and nesting opportunities as well as tasty berries for the birds," says Holly.
"Pyracantha 'Star Trio' features less thorns that other varieties, whilst still providing dense evergreen cover and attractive berries in red, yellow and orange."
Natural grasses
"Let areas of grass grow long, leave fallen leaves where they land and stop sweeping away the pile of debris that accumulates behind your pots," says English garden writer Kate Bradbury, in an extract taken from her book, One Garden Against the World.
"Let seedheads and berries feed the birds they are intended to feed."
Ivy
Ivy is a super-plant for birds, providing cosy cover and nesting sites in spring.
"Even more insects are attracted to the nectar and pollen rich late-summer flowers. High-energy berries ripen in early spring when food is very scarce, attracting flocks of blackbirds, thrushes, starlings and blackcaps," says Holly.
Hedera helix 'Goldheart'
And finally, don't dismiss decorative garden varieties like Hedera helix 'Goldheart'. These evergreen climbers have enormous value to wildlife, providing all-important shelter.
"They are invaluable for disguising and brightening up dingy corners and ugly fences and can easily be kept under control with regular pruning," says Holly.
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