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We all put feeders out for the birds but how many grow natural food for them in their gardens. Now that the weather has improved I guess many of us will be thinking about doing a bit of gardening and replacing the plants lost during the freezing cold winter.
Many people plant Flowering Cherry trees, Why? they have blossom for three weeks of the year and then nothing. Why not plant a wild cherry or the cherry tree ' Stella' Stella can be bought or trained in a fan shape so it can grow along a trellis or fence, after you have enjoyed the blossom you can look forward to some cherries. That's if you get there before the birds.
All the fruit in my garden is grown exclusively for the birds. If you like blossom then the Crab Apple tree has the best blossom of all the fruit trees and the birds love the apples. Crab Apple trees are usually quite small so will fit into even a small garden, if you have more space, why not plant a Bird Cherry. Other bird food trees in my garden are Apple, Plum, Damson, Greengage, Wild Cherry, Cherry, Holly, Pyracantha, Cotoneaster, Guelder Rose, Rowan, Spindleberry, Hawthorn, Strawberry Tree, Cherry Plum, Fig, Quince, Mulberry, Medlar, Bulace and Hazelnut. I know birds don't eat Hazelnuts but Dormice do, I'm sure that's what attracted one to the garden last year. I plant soft fruit, Blackcurrant, Red Current etc in amongst the flowers. I have allowed Blackberry and Elderberry to grow wild in certain areas. Every last fruit and berry was consumed by the birds this winter. For some reason they always take the red ones first.
Just thought my list might help next time you go to the Garden Centre to choose a plant.
Cherry Tree Stella
Crab Apple Blossom
Crab Apples
Medlar
Guelder Rose
HiI do try to plant with nature in mind, and have eryngium which bees and butterflies love, a standard cononeaster which gets covered in bees, pyracantha, holly,(birds love the berries) buddlia (butterflies). Box privet for the sparrows. We have relatively small garden but I believe you can still cater for wildlife with a little thought. Even if you have no garden, pots on the patio filled sympathetically can bring wildlife in.Judip.s. Jays would eat your hazelnuts in you have them in your area.
Of all creatures, man is the most detestable, he is the only creature that inflicts pain for sport, knowing it to be pain. ~ Mark Twain
Hi
I only have a yard but have a Buddlia, Pyracantha, Cotoneaster and lots of Ivy. Thanks for the list of trees and bushes you have suggested, useful information for me certainly the next time I go to the nursery.
None of the berries on my Cotoneaster have been eaten?
Maria
JudiM
The jay is a bird I've never seen round here. it's nice to know others are thinking of wildlife when planning their gardens, even a window box can be planted in such a way to help wildlife.
wozatmz
Is your Cotoneaster Horizontalis? as the birds seem to prefer the berries on the larger varieties. Bees love Horizontalis though.
Hi Cottagegardener
Not sure what variety the Cotoneaster is but I've attached a picture of the one I have in the yard.
Looks like Horzontalis, that's the one most people know but there are lots of different varieties. If your yard is in the shade it maybe that the berries are not ripening. I'd hang some feeders near it in the winter to bring it to their attention. It also depends on what type of birds you have in the area and how much other food is available. Don't give up though it does sometimes take a while for them to notice things.
Impressive plant list Cottagegardener,
Have you ever heard of Ribes BrianJou? I bought one today, I know it's a flowering currant but not sure how big it grows to. What is it about a sunny day that makes you go mad in a garden centre? I bought it as a shrub but unfortunately the lady in the nursery couldn't tell me anything about it "as it wasn't in her book" - how can you sell a plant and not know what it is?!?! Anyways I bought one because I love the texture and lime coloured leaves - I'm hoping it won't get too big but was initially thinking about how the birds might go for it as it fruits.
Regards
Kerry
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kezmo6310/
Just found your plant Kezmo and found Lynette has already posted. Sounds a lovely bush if you have the right spot.
Hi lynnettemj and Brenda, thanks so much - I'm very impressed you found what it does, where did you find the info? I did a search on the web and could only find something about Ribes "King Edward". Lynnette, are the fruits inedible to humans and/or birds ?
Hi again Kezmo. The berries are only inedible to humans. They are not highly toxic just very unpleasant tasting.