Serviceberry: The Secret Songbird Buffet
Serviceberry bushes aren’t just pretty—they’re a five-star restaurant for robins, cedar waxwings, and thrushes. Their juicy, blueberry-like fruit ripens in early summer, just in time for hungry nestlings. These native shrubs also attract pollinators and provide shelter, making them a triple win for anyone hoping to turn their yard into a bird haven.
Coral Honeysuckle: Hummingbird Magnet
Coral honeysuckle explodes with vibrant red and orange tubular flowers that hummingbirds simply can’t resist. Unlike the invasive Japanese honeysuckle, this native vine won’t overrun your garden. Its nectar-rich blooms are like tiny gas stations for traveling hummingbirds, especially in the eastern United States, where they’re a springtime spectacle.
Eastern Red Cedar: Winter’s Lifesaver
This rugged evergreen is a lifeline for birds during lean winter months. Its blueish berries are a favorite of cedar waxwings (no surprise there), bluebirds, and even wild turkeys. Dense, prickly foliage gives birds safe nesting spots and shelter from snow and predators—a true survival suite for those icy days.
Sunflower: The Backyard Bird Party Starter
Planting sunflowers is like sending out an open invitation to finches, chickadees, and cardinals. Once the bright yellow petals are gone, the seed heads become a feasting ground for hungry birds. Leave the stalks up through fall and winter, and you’ll have an ongoing show of acrobatics as birds cling and nibble.
Mulberry: The Messy Miracle
Mulberry trees are notorious for dropping fruit and staining sidewalks—but to birds, they’re a paradise. Tanagers, orioles, and thrushes flock to feast on the berries, often putting on a raucous show. If you don’t mind a little mess, mulberries can transform your backyard into a bustling bird café.
Bee Balm: Nectar for All
Bee balm’s spiky, colorful blooms are a magnet for hummingbirds and butterflies alike. Birds like goldfinches use the fluffy seed heads for nesting material after the blooms fade. Native to North America, bee balm is a vivid, low-maintenance way to invite pollinators and birds to mingle in your garden.