Blooming Plants that Entice Birds: Varieties of Blossoms that Attract Aviary Fauna Throughout the Year
In this guide, we explore some of the most popular flowering plants that attract a variety of winged visitors to your garden - birds and butterflies. These plants offer nectar-rich flowers attractive to pollinators, and some also provide berries or fruits that birds eat, ensuring support for different species throughout the seasons.
Lavender
Highly fragrant with long-lasting blooms, lavender is a delightful addition to any garden. It attracts butterflies and bees and thrives in sunny, dry areas, creating a calming atmosphere for birds near birdbaths.
Arrowwood Viburnum
A native shrub, Arrowwood Viburnum boasts white flowers that butterflies frequent and berries that birds enjoy. It grows 6-15 feet tall and is suitable for hedges.
Blue Mist Spirea
Producing rich blue blooms that attract butterflies, Blue Mist Spirea is hardy in USDA zones 6-9.
Glossy Abelia ‘Kaleidoscope’
With fragrant white flowers that appeal to butterflies and colorful foliage, Glossy Abelia ‘Kaleidoscope’ adds garden interest.
Yarrow (Achillea ‘Moonshine’)
Yarrow displays yellow flat-top flowers from late spring to summer, attracting butterflies effectively.
Coral Bells (Heuchera)
Providing texture and color with glowing foliage, Coral Bells are good for shady spots, and butterflies are attracted to its blooms.
‘May Night’ Salvia (Salvia x sylvestris)
With indigo flower spikes blooming from late spring to early summer, ‘May Night’ Salvia is favored by pollinators.
Tickseed (Coreopsis)
Bright red flowers with yellow-orange tips bloom June to September, drawing butterflies.
Lantana
Clusters of brightly colored blooms with long flowering seasons, Lantana is very attractive to butterflies and bees.
Honeysuckle
Highly perfumed climbing flowers, Honeysuckle attracts bees and butterflies.
Lilac
Sweet floral fragrance in spring, Lilac attracts both bees and butterflies.
Agastache (Hummingbird Mint)
Tall spiky blooms with lavender, pink, or orange colors, Agastache is excellent for attracting hummingbirds and bees.
Coneflower (Echinacea)
Prized for its vibrant color and prolific production of flowers, Coneflower attracts birds by providing food in the form of seed from early summer until fall.
Virginia Creeper Vines
Frequently spotted growing near roadways and at the edges of forests and green spaces, Virginia Creeper vines provide shelter for a variety of small species.
Zinnias
Celebrated for their use in hummingbird gardens, Zinnias are also frequented by a wide range of other bird species.
Mulberry
Plants that produce fruit, such as Mulberry, are attractive to birds. However, Mulberry can sometimes become invasive. Experts suggest growing only native species, with red mulberries among the best options.
Winterberry
Winterberry bushes are vital sources of food for non-migrating bird species during winter, with their bright red berries persisting on the shrubs throughout the entire season. They are best planted in spring or early autumn, with full-sun locations resulting in the best production of flowers.
Creating plants that can foster a veritable bird garden is an endless source of delight and can help boost a sense of comfort and safety for your feathered friends. Many of these species are ideal for use in the home landscape, while others are suited to container culture or even edible gardens. By including a variety of these flowers, you'll be providing a haven for both birds and butterflies to thrive.
[1] Plant Delights Nursery
[2] The Spruce
[3] Birds and Blooms
[4] National Wildlife Federation
[5] Garden Myths
- For a vibrant home-and-garden that supports birds and butterflies throughout the seasons, consider incorporating plants like Lavender, Arrowwood Viburnum, and Coneflower (Echinacea) with their nectar-rich flowers, berries, and seeds.
- To transform your garden into a paradise for various winged visitors, consider adding color and texture with plants such as Glossy Abelia ‘Kaleidoscope’, Coral Bells (Heuchera), and Lantana, which are attractive to both butterflies and birds.
