Add Homes for the Birds to Your Landscape

Take a walk through your landscape and evaluate your plants for their year round beauty and habitat for the birds. The second week in February is “National Homes for the Birds” week and a great time to look for ways to provide food, shelter and water for our feathered friends.

Include some evergreens for year round cover and nesting sites. You can include some deciduous trees and shrubs as well. Dogwood, hawthorns, roses, elderberry and holly are a few of the natives that provide seasonal interest for you and nesting sites for the birds

Add seed-bearing perennials to the landscape and let them stand for winter. The seedheads are attractive against the winter sky and the birds they attract add motion and life to the winter landscape. Many perennial wildflowers also provide nesting material. Silky seed heads and other less noticeable downy plant parts are used for lining nests.

A bit more information: Add some birdbaths and feeders to increase the number and diversity of birds visiting your landscape. Get the whole family involved with some homemade birdfeeders – click here for more information.