Plants to Attract Wildlife to Your Garden
Attracting Birds:
The vast majority of plants that will attract birds to your garden are those that produce fruit of some kind. Birds you could hope to attract with berried trees and shrubs include: American Robin, Pine Grosbeak, Purple Finch, Junco, Cedar Waxwing and Bohemian Waxwing. Obviously, providing seeds and suet will attract additional birds but that is beyond the scope of this short article.
Some berry-producing woody plants for you to consider include:
- Amelanchier species (Chuckley-pear)
- Cotoneaster species
- Crataegus species (Hawthorn)
- Ilex species (Holly)
- Malus species (Crabapple)
- Prunus species (Cherries)
- Sambuscus species (Elders)
- Sorbus species (Dogberry, Mountain-ash)
- Viburnum species
It should be noted that most birds are shy and greatly appreciate some sort of cover to protect them from the weather as well as predators. Any evergreen plants such as spruce, fir, pine, cedars, yew, etc, will suit that purpose.
Hummingbirds:
Ruby-throated hummingbirds are rare on the island but they do breed in small numbers in the Codroy Valley. Every year a few stragglers make it to the St. John's area. Commercial hummingbird feeders work well, but there are several flowers that also very attractive to these nectar-feeding birds. Such plants include:
- Fuchsia
- Lonicera (Honeysuckle)
- Monarda (Beebalm)
- Salvia (Sage)
Plants for Butterflies:
The vast majority of butterflies will not harm garden ornamentals. Most have very specific food sources for their caterpillars and often, these plants are weeds or native wildflowers. For example, the caterpillars of Mourning Cloak butterflies feed on stinging nettle! The only unwelcomed butterfly is the Cabbage White (the common white butterfly in our gardens). Their caterpillars feed are commonly called green grub abd feed on various cole crops, including ornamental kale.
One of the best palnts for attracting butterflies are dandelion but most gardeners will not rush out to to plant a garden full of dandelion. Thankfully, there are many garden-worthy plants that will do the trick, especially any daisy-like flowers. Plants to select from include:
- Aster species
- Astrantia major (Masterwort)
- Calendula
- Coreopsis species (Tickseed)
- Dianthus species (Pinks)
- Doronicum species (Leopard's-Bane)
- Echinacea purpurea (Purple Coneflower)
- Echinops ritro (Globe Thistle)
- Erica carnea (Spring heath)
- Erigeron species (Fleabane)
- Eryngium species (Sea Holly)
- Eupatorium species (Joe-pye Weed)
- Gaillardia aristata (Blanket-flower)
- Helenium autumnale (Helen's Flower)
- Leucanthemum X superbum (Shasta Daisy)
- Liatris spicata (Blazing Star)
- Phlox paniculata (Summer Phlox)
- Rudbeckia species (Coneflower)
- Sedum spectabile (Autumn Joy Sedum)
- Solidago species (Goldenrod)
Plants to attract Bumblebees:
Bumblebees may be scary to many gardeners but they very rarely sting and when they do, it is a last resort to defend themselves. They are very important pollinators and anyone who grows fruiting trees and shrubs will appreciate their foraging activities. Most plants attractive to butteflies will attract bees as well. However, there are some additional plants that will also work, including:
- Aconitum species (Monkshood)
- Delphinium
- Digitalis species (Foxglove)
- Gentiana species (Gentians)
- Lupinus X polyphylla (Lupine)
- Monarda species (Beebalm)
- Penstemon species (Beard-tongue)
- Physostegia virginiana (Obedient Plant)
- Pulmonaria species (Lungwort)
- Pulsatilla vulgaris (Pasque-flower)
Happy gardening!
Todd Boland, Research Horticulturist
