Think back to the days when backyard spaces weren't treated like pristine Instagram sets, and when those wild spaces were actually places where people could see birds. Wild spaces like these were a place where people could see sitting birds, but sadly no bird watching grandmother's will be there to witness it now. With modern gardening a little more commercially available and bird watching granny's become more of a background element, the gardening lores of the 21st century now have something to offer. So let's have look at what old gardening lore tells me about the plants that will have birds flocking to your backyard faster than you can ask "Where did all the cardinals go?".
Bring Hummingbirds Right To Your Window!
Check Price1. Your HOA May Hate That Wild Mulberry Tree But Birds Are Obsessed
Sure, it will drop berries on your car and create a mess. But one mulberry tree can attract many different kinds of birds, including orioles and tanagers. Plant one in the corner of the yard away from the drive and you will get front row seats to nature's dining show from May to July.
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2. The "Sleeping Beauty" Trumpet Vine Attracts Hummingbirds by the Dozens
Crazy sounding name, *Campsis radicans*, is a crazy vine that grows naturally in a lot of people's yards. It attracts hummingbirds. One mature vine can produce hundreds of nectar filled flowers and turn your porch into prime real estate for these aerial acrobats.
3. This $3 Hardware Store Plant Attracts More Birds Than Costly Feeders
The Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia) six-pack you see, slashed to low prices in the garden center, is a beautiful thing for finches, chickadees, and nuthatches. These strong flowers produce tons of seeds for the birds to eat, even in winter, long after your nice feeders need to be filled.
4. The \"Messy\" Native Berry Bush That Your Grandma Swore By
Elderberry bushes may drop berries on your patio, but they’re a songbird entertainment venue! These native shrubs bring in all kinds of songbirds, from cardinals to cedar waxwings. Plus, they produce berries that you can use to make pies and preserves, if the birds don’t get to them first.
5. Why Do Cardinals Go Crazy For This Old Fashioned Victorian Garden Favorite
Flowering Quince was loved by many gardeners in the Victorian era and cardinals know why. Not only do the thorny shrubs defend nests, but they also have early spring blooms that entice hummingbirds and offer fruit that attracts cardinals like children to an ice cream truck.
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6. You Could Be Pulling a Bird Magnet of Out the Ground
Did you know the native thistle you've been dealing with is actually a favorite snack of goldfinches? Just leave a patch of thistle in a quiet area of your yard and watch these little yellow birds come to your yard. Their fluffy thistle down makes great nesting material and the thistle seeds are a delicious snack!
7. A Gas Station Plant? More like a Goldfinch's Dream!
While the Purple Coneflower (Echinacea) is a common sight, to goldfinches it is a\nfive-star hotel. Its seed heads last through the winter, offering sustenance when\nfood is scarce from other sources. And yes, it is the same plant that is featured in\nthe herbal supplements in your house.
8. The $8 Supermarket Plant That Beats Any Bird Bath
Joe Pye Weed seems to get buried in the perennial section at the garden center but it is a butterfly magnet and serves birds as well. Tall stems attract insects (which birds love), and provide a natural buffet. Think of it as a self-replenishing snack bar for your feathered friends.
9. What About That Old Pine Tree? It's Actually a 5-Star Bird Restaurant
Before you get mad about the pine needles in your gutters, think about this. Numerous caterpillar species that are critical to the survival of baby birds are found in the branches of fully grown White Pine trees. Plus, the pine cones are natural feeders that are very much appreciated by nuthatches and chickadees.
10. The Unattractive Autumn Bloom That Attracts Birds Throughout The Winter
Although by December Sedum 'Autumn Joy' may be looking shriveled, dried flower heads are actually important winter food sources for chickadees and juncos. When the cold months arrive, you may notice a lot of birds around your otherwise quiet garden after leaving them out.
11. This Mediterranean Herb Also Serves as a Bird Buffet
Russian Sage attracts hummingbirds and birds that eat seeds! Their tubular flowers are a favorite of hummingbirds in the summer. When the flowers go to seed in the fall, finches and sparrows love to stop by for a feast. Russian Sage is also great for Mediterranean landscapes!
12. The Vine That Turns Your Yard Into A Bird Documentary
Virginia Creeper may seem like a “pesky vine,” but it’s actually a valuable food source for birds. The berries contain nutrients that are especially crucial for migrating birds. Also, the fall colors are spectacular.
13. What Attracts Birds To The Simple Ground Cover Instead Of The Fancy Feeders?
While many people consider wild strawberries a lawn invader, robins and thrushes would disagree. This ground cover creates a living carpet and draws insects and creates small berries. It turns your yard into a hidden treasure for ground-feeding birds.
14. The \"Messy\" Native Grass That Is Actually A Bird Paradise
Some people may find little bluestem grass to be messy. However, it is important to native birds. Prairie grass offers seeds during the winter, and provides nesting material in the spring. Little bluestem is also drought tolerant. This grass is a low maintenance option to help support wildlife.
15. The Grandmother Plant is a Secret Warbler Magnet
Virginia Sweetspire may sound like an old Southern garden antique and it is. However, it is not out of style. This native shrub has dangling flowers that draw in insects and subsequently, warblers and other insect-eating birds, Plant it near your window for front-row seating to the show during migration season.
