Backyard Bird Delights: Grow These 7 Seed-Producing Plants to Attract Songbirds
Cultivate Seeds for Aviary Delights: 7 Bird-Friendly Flora for a Garden that You and the Avians will Adore
Get ready to welcome a chorus of tweets and chirps to your backyard! These 7 seed-producing plants not only add a burst of color and charm to your garden, but they also provide a nutritious feast for the feathered friends visiting your yard.
1. Sunflowers (Helianthus spp.)
Sunflowers, with their towering beauty and large, bright flowers, are a quintessential spectacle in any garden. But did you know they're also a favorite among finches, nuthatches, juncos, chickadees, cardinals and grosbeaks? Grow the gigantic 'Giganteus' variety from Park Seed for the largest seedheads that will make your backyard a bird-friendly paradise.
2. Nyjer (Guizotia abyssinica)
Nyjer seeds, harvested from African daisies, are prefered by finches for their tiny size. To serve these popular seeds, consider using a tube feeder like the Garden Guru Tube Bird Feeder from our platform Shop. It's perfect for supporting tiny birds as they feast.
3. Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius)
Safflower seeds are highly nutritious, making them delectable treats for many common bird species, including cardinals, jays, doves, titmice, finches, and native sparrows. To grow safflowers, simply poke some seeds into the ground in spring, then wait for spiny leaves to appear.
4. Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)
Black-eyed Susan flowers, with their vibrant yellow petals and dark centers, are adored by gardeners and birds alike. These cheerful daisy-like plants produce seeds that are especially popular among sparrows, finches, juncos, and chickadees. 'Prairie Glow' and 'Blackjack Gold' varieties are excellent choices for fall seed production.
5. Canary Seed Grass (Phalaris canariensis)
Beloved by canaries and other birds, canary seed grass is native to the Canary Islands. Its shiny brown seeds make a delicious snack for many bird species. Just remember to store the harvested seeds in a dry, rodent-free area.
6. Pearl Millet (Pennisetum glaucum)
Fast-growing and ornamental, pearl millet is an excellent choice if you're looking to entice more birds to your backyard. Its broad leaves resemble corn plants, and it produces generous amounts of seeds. Choose green or purple-leaved varieties, depending on your preference.
7. Zinnias
Zinnias, with their bright colors and easy-to-grow nature, are a delight for both gardeners and birds. Dwarf varieties are ideal for smaller spaces, while taller varieties can reach heights of up to 2 meters (6.5 feet). Varieties like 'Whirligig Mixed' offer attractive blooms for birds like sparrows, finches, juncos, and chickadees.
After a successful gardening season, don't forget to harvest your seeds and store them for later use. Harvest sunflower seeds by waiting for the flowers to turn brown and then shaking the ripe seeds into a container. Spread them out to dry, then store in a cool, dry place out of reach of rodents and squirrels.
Remember, gardeners like you are an essential part of cultivating a bird sanctuary. With the right selection of seed-producing plants, you'll be providing a bounty of bird-friendly options for your feathered friends to feast on. So get planting and create your own backyard bird haven!
Nurture a harmonious blend of food-and-drink for birds and lush greenery in your home-and-garden by planting seed-producing plants such as sunflowers, Nyjer, safflower, black-eyed Susan, canary seed grass, pearl millet, and Zinnias. As autumn arrives, collect and store the harvested seeds to ensure a continuous source of nutritious offerings for your avian visitors. This lifestyle choice not only adds charm to your garden but contributes significantly to creating a thriving bird sanctuary within your backyard.
