Landscaping To Attract Birds & Butterflies

In order to successfully attract birds and butterflies to your back yard you must provide the proper natural environment for them; Shelter, Food and Water.

Shelter:

Proper selection of plants will provide shelter and nesting sites. Evergreens gives the best year round protection against the severest weather conditions. Best shelter is provided by planting trees and shrubs in natural clumps, hedgerows, and thickets. Bird houses or nesting shelves can be included to supplement natural nesting areas. Plant these trees near the feeding station, as birds will move from shelter to feeding and back again quite frequently.

Food:

Plants whose seeds or fruits stay attached well into the winter are best for many birds. When using bird feeders, the type of food will determine the varieties of birds attracted and how long they will stay. Feeding birds throughout the summer months will entice migratory birds to stay over the winter. Use good quality, weed-free seed mixes and keep the feeder full at all times. And keep the feeder clean.

During the winter months, use a combination of suet, peanut butter, and seed to keep our feathered friends nourished.

Hummingbirds and Butterflies are attracted to colors - red and white are the favorites. Having a mix of brightly colored, nectar producing flowers, shrubs and perennials blooming from spring to fall will keep these little creatures happy. If you use a sugar water nectar feeder for your hummers, adding red food coloring is required to initially attract them. It is important to regularly sterilize your feeders.

Birds love the berries on Currants, Cherries, Crab Apples, Mulberries, Coralwood, Snowberries, Elder, Arrowwood, and Dogwood among others. Butterflies enjoy Lupines, Zinnias, Black-eyed Susans, Purple Coneflower, Daisies, Phlox Blazing Stars and many more.

Water:

Along with food, all birds require a regular source of water for drinking and bathing. A bird bath or small pond and/or waterfall can provide water for essential life support. Locating your water source nearby the food and shelter will encourage a regular flock to enjoy sharing your yard with.