| Author | Content |
tabasco
Cincinnati (Anderson, OH
(Zone 6a)
January 7, 2007
8:43 AM Post #3061300
|
Hi, birdsters!
I have been following the Bird Watching threads and getting excited about adding more 'bird friendly' trees and shrubs to my natural garden style back yard--
So far we have a nice dogwood (in the photo) and some ash, a few evergreens and crabapples and we would like to add more. It seems like the birds swoop in and eat up everything so fast, it's hard to keep berries around through the seasons...
I googled and found this list of Trees and Shrubs for the northeast region that I thought was pretty precise and was wondering if anyone had comments or other recommendations--
General Plant Guide to Attracting Birds in the Northeast from "The Helpful Gardener" website:
Purple finches
Cotoneaster, Ornamental grasses
Cedar Waxwing
Cotoneaster, Pyracantha, Mountain Ash, Junipers
Robins
Flowering Dogwood, Crabapples, healthy and unhealthy lawns
Eastern Phoebe
Serviceberry, Sumacs
Downy Woodpecker
Serviceberry, Dogwood, Mountain Ash, Virginia Creeper
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Trumpet vine, Weigela, Columbine, Bee Balm, Quince, most flowering plants producing red or orange flowers
Indigo Bunting
Unruly lawns, Dandelions, Goldenrod, Thistle
Nuthatch
Pine, Spruce and Fir trees
Chickadee
Winterberry, Serviceberry, Viburnums, Bayberry, Junipers
Pileated Woodpecker
Serviceberry, Elderberry
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Cherry, Dogwood, Virginia creeper, Elderberry, Mulberry
Sparrow
Ornamental grasses, Roses, Junipers
Scarlet Tanager
Pines, Serviceberry, Elderberry, Maples, Elms, Oaks
Junco
Grasses, Conifers, Cosmos, Zinnia
Red-winged Blackbird
Marsh grasses, open pastureland
Gold Finch
Thistles, Grasses, Echinacea, Rudbeckia
Northern Flicker
Elderberry, Blueberry, Dogwoods
Grackle
Oaks, Grasses, poorly maintained lawns
Baltimore oriole
Quince, Serviceberry, Maples, Elms, Oaks
Cardinal
Winterberry, Roses, Dogwood, Junipers
Mockingbird
Bayberry, Serviceberry, Elderberry, Sumac, Dogwood
Titmouse
Oaks, Serviceberry, Elderberry, Bayberry
Bluebird
Dogwood, Virginia creeper, Holly, Juniper, Sumac, Serviceberry
Wren
Bayberry
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
lilyfantn
Kingsport, TN
(Zone 6b)
January 7, 2007
8:56 AM Post #3061325
| ooooooo, one of m favorite subjects! When I first got into gardening it was to plant stuff with berries for wild life. (now my gardening life has been taken over by daylilies but that's another story). I have lots of photos of my berries in full berrydom that I would be happy to share.
Here is a photo of one of my ABSOLUTE FAVORITE berry shrubs for birds. This is a deciduous holly called a winterberry. You need to plant one male for every 10 females within a 20 ft. radius. I have one male tucked away and three berrying females in my front yard. Here is a mockingbird guarding "his" tree lol. The berries start to ripen in the fall and provide food all winter.
This message was edited Jan 7, 2007 8:56 AM
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
lilyfantn
Kingsport, TN
(Zone 6b)
January 7, 2007
8:58 AM Post #3061329
| Here it is before it loses it's leaves.
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
lilyfantn
Kingsport, TN
(Zone 6b)
January 7, 2007
9:00 AM Post #3061333
| Vibunums are great too. Here is a big beautiful double file viburnum. It is about 10 feet tall and gets its berries in the spring.
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
lilyfantn
Kingsport, TN
(Zone 6b)
January 7, 2007
9:02 AM Post #3061335
| When the double file viburnum is in flower it looks like a gigantic hydrangea. Here is a close up of the berry cluster.
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
lilyfantn
Kingsport, TN
(Zone 6b)
January 7, 2007
9:04 AM Post #3061340
| This is a very popular with the birds viburnam - cranberry viburnum (notice that I am too lazy to look up the scientific names lol) It also berries in the spring and gets about 6 feet tall.
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
lilyfantn
Kingsport, TN
(Zone 6b)
January 7, 2007
9:06 AM Post #3061349
| Here is a beautyberry bush. The color on these is unbelieveable. I call it, Barbie doll accessory purple. These berry in the fall.
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
lilyfantn
Kingsport, TN
(Zone 6b)
January 7, 2007
9:11 AM Post #3061356
| Here is another look at more of this shrub. This particular one gets 4 feet tall but I have seen other kinds with bigger berries that get 10 feet tall. I have one of those in the front ard but it hasn't berried yet.
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
lilyfantn
Kingsport, TN
(Zone 6b)
January 7, 2007
9:14 AM Post #3061364
| I have a Washington Hawthorn planted in the front yard that is also quite popular. Another fall berrying plant that offers food all winter. If you look closely you will see that its branches are covered with very long thorns.
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
lilyfantn
Kingsport, TN
(Zone 6b)
January 7, 2007
9:16 AM Post #3061369
| Here is the berry of the native spicebush. It berries in the spring and the birds like the berries but I really plated it to attract the spicebush butterfly.
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
lilyfantn
Kingsport, TN
(Zone 6b)
January 7, 2007
9:20 AM Post #3061378
| Here is the huge umbel of fruit from the elderberries I planted. Boy, is this fruit popular! When it is flowering it has the most heavenly strong scent.
|
lilyfantn
Kingsport, TN
(Zone 6b)
January 7, 2007
9:21 AM Post #3061382
| Oops, clicked on the wrong button. Here is the elderberry fruit.
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
lilyfantn
Kingsport, TN
(Zone 6b)
January 7, 2007
9:22 AM Post #3061388
| I also have some current bushes. Here is the red one.
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
lilyfantn
Kingsport, TN
(Zone 6b)
January 7, 2007
9:23 AM Post #3061392
| Here is the black one.
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
lilyfantn
Kingsport, TN
(Zone 6b)
January 7, 2007
9:25 AM Post #3061396
| Here is an interesting novelty item I planted that I may be sorry I did lol - a varigated pokeweed.
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
lilyfantn
Kingsport, TN
(Zone 6b)
January 7, 2007
9:30 AM Post #3061405
| I have a number of other things planted that haven't gotten berries yet. Its not uncommon for a plant to take 5+ years to become mature and happy enough to get fruit. I have a contorted mulberry tree, a bird cherry, a number of native viburnums (birds tend to prefer native varieties when it comes to food and not the fancy hybrids) . Speaking of natie iburnums, I have an arrowood vib. planted - this is called that because the indians used to make their arrows from this plant. And I have a tall yaupon holly. And I almost forgot - I have a bayberry shrub. These are supposed to need a male and a female. I got two and one died but the other one still gets berries. Go figure! |
lilyfantn
Kingsport, TN
(Zone 6b)
January 7, 2007
9:33 AM Post #3061409
| Oh I almost forgot! I have two chokecherry bushes too. I read that these are a llost choice for birds but they sure seem to like tham at my house.
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
lilyfantn
Kingsport, TN
(Zone 6b)
January 7, 2007
9:35 AM Post #3061412
| I also have a nice big seviceberry bush with some miniature blueberry bushes planted around it. I'll have to see if I can find any pics of that. |
estreya
Ridgefield, WA
January 7, 2007
2:58 PM Post #3062406
| BRILLIANT! Keep the photographs coming! I'm taking notes. :) |
tabasco
Cincinnati (Anderson, OH
(Zone 6a)
January 7, 2007
3:37 PM Post #3062511
|
lilyfantn--gosh! I go away for a bit and come back to see all these beautiful pics! Your berries look delicious--no wonder the birds love your place!
I would love to plant some currants and the elderberry bush. I want the spicebush too for the swallowtail butterflies, of course. I am going to have to make some space for some of these--I have a lot of shade from the ash trees and some may have to come down because of the 'ash borer' invasion...
I am taking notes, too! |
lilyfantn
Kingsport, TN
(Zone 6b)
January 7, 2007
3:42 PM Post #3062536
| I love ashes! I have a mountain ash but it is growing into the house and needs to be taken down. It doesn't seem to berry any more either. When it was in its prime we would gets flocks of cedar waxwings visit. They don't do very well here in zone 6/7. I think they like it where its colder. Here is a waxwing from an arboreatum I vvisited last year.
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
estreya
Ridgefield, WA
January 7, 2007
4:05 PM Post #3062609
| - A nice article that mentions some of the same plant material that's being discussed here. My apologies if the article's already been posted - i'm a little behind in reading the threads.
[HYPERLINK@www.nytimes.com]
|
lilyfantn
Kingsport, TN
(Zone 6b)
January 7, 2007
4:36 PM Post #3062706
| Hey thanks esterella! What a great article. I have marked it and put it in my favorites folder.
You can't be too far behind because we are only 3 days old here lol! This is the first thread we've had on plantings so far I think.
|
hem_iamy
Albuquerque, NM
(Zone 7b)
January 7, 2007
4:59 PM Post #3062767
| Hi guys! What a great thread! I have some photinia that I'm looking to replace, WAAY too overused in the Southwest, now I have inspiration! What a great variety of fruit-bearing plants you have Lilyfan, you're such a good bird mama :) I've always loved currants too...
I've found that our grapevines attract plenty of fruit loving birds too, so much that I've only been able to sample a little myself! So much for wine-making... :) |
beclu727
Dacula, GA
(Zone 7b)
January 7, 2007
9:29 PM Post #3063620
| I love this thread. I hope to remove some brambles that the birds do feed on, but they are so overgrown and "dangerous" now. I think that viburnum and winterberry and maybe some currants will go nicely in their place. Wonderful pics. Thanks so much. |
gabagoo
Yonkers, NY
(Zone 5b)
January 7, 2007
11:35 PM Post #3064002
| I have a chokeberry tree. So far the only bird I have seen eating it on occasion is the mockingbird.
I spotted a grackle eating my blueberries.
My biggest succes as far as "Planting for the Birds" has always been the sunflowers.
The finches, chickadees & woodpeckers always come for the seeds... if the squirrels don't get to them first. LOL!
Nancy |
tabasco
Cincinnati (Anderson, OH
(Zone 6a)
January 8, 2007
5:00 AM Post #3064262
|
estreya-- thanks for posting the link to the New york Times article (I feel lucky to catch it still up on the website--I think they are only posted for 7 days.) That could be me writing it! I have become completely infatuated with watching the birds darting around our thickets and old wormy trees out my kitchen window!
And that article reminded me that the birds like the Poison Ivy. We have so much of it growing up our trees in the woods and it often passes through my head that it's a weed and I should have it removed, but if it's not bothering anyone and the birds like it, I should just leave it. Likewise my old woodpile. Ah, let's see--what else can I stop feeling guilty about?! LOL
lilyfantan--I planted one of those American Beautyberries last summer--I first saw it at the Franklin Conservatory garden in Columbus---the purple berries were gorgeous and caught my eye. I used them for my Thanksgiving table arrangement then set out the branches for the birds afterwards. Worked well for everyone!
A variety of American beautyberries from Big Dipper Farm: [HYPERLINK@www.bigdipperfarm.com]
I don't know why, but I haven't seen Cedar Waxwings on our ashes. I have heard they are in the parkland, but they don't come to our yard. I wonder why?...
My planting list for spring is getting longer! Thanks everyone!
|
estreya
Ridgefield, WA
January 8, 2007
12:42 PM Post #3065135
| My planting list has been revised based on this post also. Among other things, it now includes a white dogwood, which i can only hope will look as gorgeous in my landscape as it does in yours, tabasco! I noticed a lot of bird activity around the dogwoods i planted last season (a sort of pinkish color), but i THINK it's been mostly robin red breasts at this point. I'll have to play closer attention come Spring.
Lilyfantn, your berry bushes are magnificent. Silly question: How does one tell the difference between a male and female winterberry? And also, how tall does the winterberry get?
I'm asking about the height because i'm trying to determine which berry bushes i can place near the woods (doesn't matter how tall they get), and which are ideally suited for the beds that "wrap" around the house (better if they're mounding a smallish). The double file viburnum, for example, would probably look great mixed in along a tree line or one of the distant field beds given how tall it gets.
I know these are silly questions, but i seem to be particularly challenged when it comes to placement issues. |
Murmur
Whidbey Island, WA
(Zone 7a)
January 8, 2007
12:57 PM Post #3065176
| Fabulous info here - thank you all!!!! I have a long, long hedge of photinia which I despise, but can't afford to replace it right now . . . plus my neighbor would be very unhappy as she loves it . . . but like Estreya, I am taking notes!!!! |
berrygirl
Braselton, GA
(Zone 7b)
January 8, 2007
6:52 PM Post #3066125
| GREAT thread !!
I have a yard full of cedar [juniper] trees. The birds love the berries and the trees provide cover in Summer and warmth in the Winter. |
lilyfantn
Kingsport, TN
(Zone 6b)
January 8, 2007
7:10 PM Post #3066187
| Hi estrella - I think the only way you can tell the difference visually between male and female winterberries is to look at them during the season that the females have berries. I think all garden centers that sell them though have them named by variety and will label whih are males and which are females. There are a lot of varieties but they tend to berry during two different times. You just need to make sure you get the right male for the early girls and the right male for the late girls. At one time I had a chart of which males went with which females but since I lost my hard drive last year I don't have it any more. But any garden center which sells them should have them grouped correspondingly. The ones I have are only about 4 feet tall. There may be others that are taller. By the way, your questions aren't silly at all!
A tree line sounds like a great idea. I have my viburnums planted along the back of the property along with forsythia and the elderberries. I'm thinking of adding a lower growing row in front of these. (lets get rid of as much lawn as possible lol). |
duckmother
North Little Rock, AR
(Zone 7b)
January 9, 2007
9:46 AM Post #3067777
| Thanks for all of the info. In my yard, the two bird favorites are Red Mulberry and Sweet Gum. When we moved here, I did not notice the Mulberry which was small and close to the creek. Boy, as it grew, everyone noticed it...or should I say every bird. LOL I hated the Gum...gum balls...ouch! Then I saw all the different kinds of birds that love to visit in spring and fall. Now, I adore the Gum tree, and just rake gum balls, a lot. ;o) |
estreya
Ridgefield, WA
January 9, 2007
11:43 AM Post #3068035
| Lilyfantn, thanks you again for the information! There's a great nursery a short drive North that would likely have things organized and labeled as you describe. I'll take a ride up there in the next few weeks.
PS: I'm sorry to hear about your hard drive. I hope you didn't loose too much precious data - at times, it seems a cross section of our whole lives is housed in that metal box of soldered bits. |
fleursdefouquet
Ferndale, AR
(Zone 7b)
January 9, 2007
12:32 PM Post #3068154
| Kim, I don't have to worry with the gumballs since they are a distance from the house, but Sweetgums are one of my favorites out here. They are one of the prettiest trees we see in the fall! There are several around our pond and are gorgeous reflected in the water.
lily, thanks for sharing the info on winterberries. Makes it much easier to sort through all the info available out there.
tobasco, we have several native beautyberries and I agree they are beautiful. Wish we had more.
estreya, I like your plan. The darned deer keep eating back my viburnams planted in front of a wooded area! I have two snowballs - or HAD two. Think one is a goner. The other does produce blooms, but the deer won't allow it to get more than about 3' tall. Ugh! |
pelletory
Marlton, NJ
January 9, 2007
1:27 PM Post #3068292
| As much as I love deers I'm so glad I don't have them after hearing all the sad losses from them. |
fleursdefouquet
Ferndale, AR
(Zone 7b)
January 9, 2007
2:17 PM Post #3068405
| They can do a lot of damage in a very short time. Had seven 50' rows of purple hull peas and didn't harvest a single serving of peas due to those boogers. My hostas have to be behind a gated courtyard or next to the dog yard because they are "deer candy"!
Debra |
Murmur
Whidbey Island, WA
(Zone 7a)
January 9, 2007
2:40 PM Post #3068465
| I run around at night (so no one can see me) spraying this awful stuff that does seem to keep the deer away - it's non-toxic and harmless to the environment. But it absolutely stinks - not for any length of time, but I try to avoid windy conditions!!! One of the reasons I wanted to live in a rural setting was to enjoy the wildlife so I do my darndest to not get upset with the deer or the rabbits if I do indeed forget to spray and they come to dinner. I will politely ask them to leave the premises if I happen to come upon them during the day. They generally oblige - once I'm within ten feet or so!!! |
gardenglory
Gainesville, FL
(Zone 9a)
January 9, 2007
2:47 PM Post #3068481
| you have no idea what I would give for a plate of fresh purple hull peas. Glad to know they are alive and well other places. |
fleursdefouquet
Ferndale, AR
(Zone 7b)
January 9, 2007
2:51 PM Post #3068492
| if inteterested, the pea saga...
[HYPERLINK@davesgarden.com]
Debra |
Murmur
Whidbey Island, WA
(Zone 7a)
January 9, 2007
3:45 PM Post #3068623
| LOL - thanks so much for the story, Debra . . . made me smile big time!!!
We have an Alpaca farm a few miles away - wonder if deer that that poop, too? LOL You've made my day!
Carole |
estreya
Ridgefield, WA
January 9, 2007
4:18 PM Post #3068714
| Hmmm ... this is very interesting! I don't mean to hijack this thread, but i truly wasn't aware deer would graze to the point of killing a plant. They were very active around the newly planted dogwoods, but it was mostly the lower branches, so i wasn't concerned. I'll have to keep a more watchful eye ...
In our former residence up North, my husband and i planted a few gorgeous rose bushes. In the morning, i would squeal with delight at the new buds, only to find them gone the following day. :) It was a rare treat when a bud was left unmolested long enough for me to enjoy the flower. But i didn't really mind. I learned to accept the loss, so long as the bushes on the whole were healthy.
Now i have two potted evergreens flanking the garage. They've been regularly "pruning" them for me, bless their hearts. :)
In any case, i think maybe the trick is to plant all these gorgeous berry bushes not only for the birds, but for the deer as well? Maybe the deer and birds will share them and they'll leave our other tender shoots alone. :) |
tabasco
Cincinnati (Anderson, OH
(Zone 6a)
January 10, 2007
10:25 AM Post #3070835
|
Yes, the deer issue is so vexing. I have poured over the 'Garden Foes' forum looking for all kinds of effective deterrents...
I wonder if my Beautyberry crop would improve if I planted both a 'his' and 'hers'? I read that they need full sun for best berrying but no info about sexes, so I'm assuming not...
Last year I planted 2 hollies in big pots to flank the front door during the holiday season. Put twinkle lights on them, too, and the birds still pecked away.
Then I move the pots to the backyard during spring and summer and replace with spring and then summer arrangements. --Pots of pussy willows underplanted with crocus by the door in the springtime. The swallowtail butterflies love them for host plants (lay their eggs on them then the caterpillers eat the leaves for food. Last year we had a bumper crop of swallowtails in the garden.) And I tried Hardy Hibiscus for a summer version (thought I would attract hummingbirds and butterflies to them, but they didn't seem to like that offering so much.)
I wish I had a really sunny spot to plant some sunflowers. I suppose I could just plant the seeds from the birdseed, right? I would want sunflowers which off the 'black oil' seed in their heads! ...picky picky picky...
|
fleursdefouquet
Ferndale, AR
(Zone 7b)
January 10, 2007
10:33 AM Post #3070861
| tobasco, it sounds like all of your critters are well fed! |
estreya
Ridgefield, WA
January 10, 2007
11:17 AM Post #3070958
| Tabasco ... i'll say it again, you've got a superb eye. And it's a great idea to make pots with birds and butterflies specifically in mind! |
tabasco
Cincinnati (Anderson, OH
(Zone 6a)
January 10, 2007
6:03 PM Post #3072160
| Well, I am having fun planting for the birds and butterflies.
It makes for a bit of a messy looking yard on our cul de sac (everyone has very neatly trimmed and mulched suburban lots here) so I feel like I have to have the official National Wildlife Federation Plaque out in front to explain so the neighbors 'get it'. LOL
p.s. Today was a six woodpecker day at our feeder station--downey, hairy, sapsucker, red-bellied, flicker, and pileated. Can't get a red-headed to show up here to save my soul! LOL
A nice summary of bird garden trees and shrubs: [HYPERLINK@www.alaweb.com]
This message was edited Jan 17, 2007 8:32 PM |
Gitagal
Baltimore, MD
(Zone 7a)
January 18, 2007
2:42 PM Post #3097230
| Lily,
You are bery, bery nice to post all these pictures! The birds must LOVE your yard!
I have no place to plant any of these. Too bad! I have a moderate, but very established yard. Been at it 37 years! Have 2 maples in my back yard and their roots are everywhere! It is a struggle to dig anything.
Thanks for posting all the pictures.
Gita |
pollyk
Hannibal, NY
(Zone 6a)
January 19, 2007
11:18 AM Post #3099884
| I have a ton of currants planted for the birds, but I take just a few to put in some of my strawberry jam. It seems the birds prefer the black currants. |
Murmur
Whidbey Island, WA
(Zone 7a)
January 19, 2007
11:48 AM Post #3099953
| I just planted some currants this Fall, but imagine it will take quite awhile for them to be mature enough to produce. And I am sooooo impatient! |
lilyfantn
Kingsport, TN
(Zone 6b)
January 19, 2007
12:51 PM Post #3100173
| LOL! I know what you mean! Some of my trees took 5 years to get big enough to berry and my contorted mulberry hasn't yet. Maybe this year!
I have another tree I forgot to mention. I have two red buckeyes that I planted for the hummers. Unfortunately they are usually in flower before the hummers reach where I live but I love the flowers so much I'm still thrilled with it!
This message was edited Jan 19, 2007 12:52 PM
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
pelletory
Marlton, NJ
March 9, 2007
7:00 PM Post #3265674
| I'm bumping this thread up since we're getting close to Spring.
Lilyfantn, When does the Elderberry bloom? I'm trying to find more shrubs that berry in the winter. I'm
sure I'll be getting the Winterberry's but probably just 1 male and 1 or 2 females.
Also, where did you find the dwarf Blueberry? Have you found those pics? Thanks! |
lilyfantn
Kingsport, TN
(Zone 6b)
March 9, 2007
8:03 PM Post #3265917
| The elderberries get their berries in lateish summer. And then they go like hot cakes lol. I got the sunshine blue blueberry shrubs from a local grower who got her stock wholesale from Wayside. You can probably order them from there. Your local nursery may stock some kind of dwarf blueberry shrub too. That would probably be cheaper than mail order and you would get bigger plants. The Hawthorn keeps its berries through the winter and is the main perch of the mockingbird. The chokecherries also keep their berries all winter. My neighbor has some crab apple trees that are really popular too. The ones with the smaller sized apples are the best for bird food. My other neighbor has some grape vines and they are popular too. I don't know if they last all winter though. |
pelletory
Marlton, NJ
March 9, 2007
8:54 PM Post #3266115
| Thanks Buddy! :-) |
halo
Citra, FL
March 9, 2007
9:09 PM Post #3266164
| I am definitely going to have to find some of these berry bushes, at least the ones that grow well down here. Gorgeous pics, as usual! |
lilyfantn
Kingsport, TN
(Zone 6b)
March 9, 2007
9:29 PM Post #3266239
| You probably have lots sof exotic fruit things that grow in the tropics where you are Halo! Who knows... maybe you wil be posting pictures of flamingos for us lol!
I'm so glad you are going to try planting some berrying things Pell! Let us know how it goes and post pictures of your choices once they are planted! I am still looking for some pictures of the blueberry bushes. If I don't find any I will post pics this summer. |
gabagoo
Yonkers, NY
(Zone 5b)
March 9, 2007
9:38 PM Post #3266269
| An early pair of robins showed up in my yard Feb 3rd. Very early! In fact, I have NEVER seen robins there. They are usually running around the lawn in the front. The ground is frozen so there are no worms for them to eat. The other birds are feasting at the feeders, the robins are not interested.
They discovered the chokeberries & picked the tree clean.
It's a small tree - planted in a 20" pot. Previously, the only bird I had seen eating the berries was the mockingbird - and even that was rare.
I bought the tree because I read that the birds would like them. I'm glad they were finally discovered!
Nancy
|
lilyfantn
Kingsport, TN
(Zone 6b)
March 9, 2007
9:46 PM Post #3266292
| Yay Nancy!! They say that chokecherries need a few cold snaps to get sweet enough for the birds to eat. I hae heard some people say that the birds don't eat the fruit on theirs but they are popular at my house. I had a robin this winter that learned to eat from the platform feeder when it was snowing. I put fruit and raisins in mine along with nuts and seeds. Now the robin has continued eating at the feeders even though the weather is nicer. Its as if it has learned a new skill lol. sorry the picture is so dark.
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
pelletory
Marlton, NJ
March 9, 2007
10:27 PM Post #3266409
| What type of fruit from your buffet does the Robin like Susan? |
lilyfantn
Kingsport, TN
(Zone 6b)
March 9, 2007
10:29 PM Post #3266420
| The robin seems to prefer raisins and grapes. I dis see it pecking at the orange half when it was snowing though. Maybe because it was more visible in the snow? |
JoyceDee
Fort White, FL
March 10, 2007
7:51 PM Post #3268989
| Tabasco...when did you take that lovely picture?? Surely not in January 2007??
Joyce |
tabasco
Cincinnati (Anderson, OH
(Zone 6a)
March 10, 2007
8:17 PM Post #3269082
|
LOL of course not! That's a pic of my dogwood from May last year! That is the only one that has survived--my others succumbed to some kind of mildew last year. (sob). I can only dream of my dogwood blossoms now, but I can see little buds on my magnolias!
BTW--I read in the paper that March is the most catastrophic month for birds (in these parts, not in FLA and TX and points south, I guess) because the berries are all gone now--even the bitter ones ripened for late winter consumption--and the insects and worms have not really come out (blossomed?) so the birds need our feeders more than ever to make just that much difference for survival...
I am so happy our Carolina wrens have made it through the nasty February cold spells but they are desperately searching for something to eat and seem to like my suet so that's 'a good thing' as Martha would say (not her suet recipe though!)
Our robins are here (and many have stayed all winter long). I also had a Pine Warbler yesterday at the feeders which is a first for us--(A ranger from the adjacent park spied it and let us know--otherwise we would have continued along in ignorant bliss about its presence so early here in the season. (Our taxpayer dollars at work!).
Our migration season is just getting underway and things are picking up around here--Good birding everyone!
|
gabagoo
Yonkers, NY
(Zone 5b)
March 10, 2007
11:38 PM Post #3269738
| That's great, Lily!
I'm going to buy some grapes!
Nancy |
pelletory
Marlton, NJ
April 3, 2007
3:35 AM Post #3350005
| Bump
Heard a few people ask questions about this and I have one.
Wheres your favorite place to buy these types of plants and shrubs? |
pelletory
Marlton, NJ
April 3, 2007
4:17 AM Post #3350121
| Lily, Do you cut back your Elderberry at all and if so when is that done? |
tabasco
Cincinnati (Anderson, OH
(Zone 6a)
April 3, 2007
5:25 AM Post #3350270
|
Well, I buy our shrubs and trees at our local garden centers--they stock a lot of natives and bird and butterfly garden plants and they have good sales and close outs. (Wolfangles, Greenfield Plant Farm, Earthscapes, to name a few suppliers in Cincinnati).
Also, I've been lucky to get some nice starts at the ORV RU Plant Trades in the springtime.
And I am always on the lookout at roadside plant stands and farmers' markets and I check out every bargain table at the big box stores, too. I seldom buy at full retail (too cheap.)
They say that the Hummingbirds are arriving here in Ohio now and my honeysuckle is really putting out shoots. Hope it blooms soon! (I'll have to get my feeders out today.) They say the HBs follow the bloom of the red buckeye and the lilacs. Mine are just about ready to show some flowers...
|
kyjoy
Frankfort, KY
April 3, 2007
7:48 AM Post #3350736
| Quince is a good shrub for birds. So is Holly. As for Serviceberry, there is a shrub and a tree. I have shrubs in the back and a tree in the front. Birds also like Crab Apple trees. Just about anything with berries is favored by birds. |
lilyfantn
Kingsport, TN
(Zone 6b)
April 4, 2007
6:24 AM Post #3354084
| Hi Pell! I like too buy my shrubs and trees locally whenever I can also. That way I can see what I am getting. Also, mail order almost always comes bare root or at least in very small pots. They take quite a bit longer to reach an appreciable size. That being said, I have ordered some things I couldn't find anywhere else from a place called
[HYPERLINK@www.forestfarm.com]
they have quite a large catalog! They always mention if something is good for wildlife also.
I did cut my elderberry back once and won't be doing that again. It sent out so many suckers after that.
|
Lori_S
Summit, NJ
(Zone 6b)
April 8, 2007
2:44 PM Post #3369437
| pelletory,
I'm further north than you are, but since I'm also in NJ, thought I'd add what I've found. I try to buy mostly native plants, and sometimes have had trouble finding what I want, so I pay close attention to these things. Starting in a couple of weeks there are sales organized, by various groups, such as master gardeners, garden clubs and Audubon centers that often have more wildlife friendly plants. Some of the events near me show up in the local papers, so I suspect it might be the same near you. I also know of some relatively near you since I keep an eye open for my SIL who also lives in the southern part of the state. I'm adding some links I think might help you.
From the NJ Natlive Plant Society site:
[HYPERLINK@www.npsnj.org]
From the Audubon Centers site:
[HYPERLINK@www.njaudubon.org]
Bowman's Wildflower Farm (probably a bit far--PA, but I've heard people rave about their sale)
[HYPERLINK@www.bhwp.org]
Here's a mailorder source that's located in Frenchtown, NJ that I like. I think plants tend to do better in my garden if from similar locations so when possible I go with a closer nursery:
[HYPERLINK@www.toadshade.com]
Have fun shopping!
Lori
|
nanny_56
Putnam County, IN
(Zone 5b)
April 8, 2007
5:42 PM Post #3370050
| have found this thread very interesting since I want to add some bird friendly shrubs & trees to our yard this year. Found the new thread started else where on the forums but it seems cold & over my head (no common names wanted, no chatting). |
pelletory
Marlton, NJ
April 9, 2007
8:07 PM Post #3374138
| Thanks so much Lori!
Lily, Have you pruned any of your Viburnums? I see some of them can get seriously tall and wide. If you do can you say when and how you go about that.
Thanks!
Anyone who knows can answer the question.
This message was edited Apr 10, 2007 7:51 AM |
pelletory
Marlton, NJ
April 14, 2007
10:28 AM Post #3390689
| Went to a local nursery today to look at their shrubs.
They had the most BEAUTIFUL Serviceberrys in full bloom, nice big ones but I almost fell down when I looked at the price... $250.00!!!!!
They also had some nice Winterberry and 2 types of Viburnums but again the prices were quite steep. I'll have to check out Lowes and Home Depot or just mail order.
They had some master gardners there working that I spoke to for a while but the one did not like using the common names of things and I kept having to ask,
"That sounds nice; what are you talking about?" LOL, she was jumping from one family to another and I was completely lost. They were very nice though.
Figured I better get out today before the big Noreaster comes through, we're supposed to get some really bad weather with this one. |
tabasco
Cincinnati (Anderson, OH
(Zone 6a)
April 14, 2007
11:06 AM Post #3390790
|
pelle, Yikes!! on the price of the Serviceberry. It must be some special tree! I would have to shop around a bit too or start one from seed or cutting before I would pay that price, although it's true the birds love 'em!
nanny, I hadn't seen the other bird thread...can you give us a link?
|
pelletory
Marlton, NJ
April 14, 2007
11:39 AM Post #3390901
| Heres the link for the thread that nanny's talking about. I baled on it too.
[HYPERLINK@davesgarden.com] |
tabasco
Cincinnati (Anderson, OH
(Zone 6a)
April 14, 2007
12:32 PM Post #3391063
| Oh, I see... yes, thanks.
Since we are talking about bird shrubs, I also wanted to add that now is the time the 'Ruby Throated hummingbirds' are arriving from South America and the warm southern states and it's fun to have trees and bushes in the yard that they love. I googled for a list of HUMMINGBIRD shrubs:
Abelia Abelia grandiflora
Azalea Rhododendron sp.
Bottlebrush Callistemon lanceolatus
Butterfly bush Buddleia davidii
Catoneaster Catoneaster sp.
Eucalyptus Eucalyptus sp.
Flowering currant Ribes odoratum
Flowering quince Chaenomeles sp.
Fuschia tree Fuschia arborescens
Hibiscus Hibiscus sp.
Lilac Syringa sp.
Mimosa (silk tree) Albizia julibrissin
Strawberry tree Arbutus unedo
Wild lilac Ceanothus griseus
Weigela Weigela rosea
I have lilac, weigela, butterfly bush and azaleas. The butterfly bush is known to be invasive. I always try to check with the state invasives list before planting and I have found a number of surprise (for me) listings on it. Mimosa, for one. And Butterflybush)
And there are always the trumpet vine and its relations that the HBs love and are a bit shrubby, but some states have classified them as invasives, too. Some of these HB vines are best on trellises or in pots.
Bignonia
Bougainvillea
Honeysuckle (not 'japanese' which is terribly invasive)
Hyacinth bean
Morning Glory Vine
Passion Vine
Red Jessamine
Trumpetcreeper
Trumpet Vine
There are all kinds of flowers that HBs love and have been discussed thoroughly on other threads. There are usually listings for each state since HBs like different bloom treats in different areas of the country. Here's South Carolina, for one: [HYPERLINK@www.clemson.edu] |
pelletory
Marlton, NJ
April 14, 2007
12:47 PM Post #3391108
| Great list tabasco! I have 4 Trumpetvines that the Hummers love but they are all 40 feet or farther from the house. Last Fall I bought a Honeysuckle vine that did not have a tag on it so I'm wondering which type it may be. Heres a pic w/ Cardinal included. 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
pelletory
Marlton, NJ
April 14, 2007
1:17 PM Post #3391204
| Last Fall I bought Weigela, Wine and Roses 'Alexandra' so I hope the hummers like that.
This message was edited Apr 14, 2007 5:41 PM |
ViburnumValley
Scott County, KY
(Zone 5b)
April 15, 2007
3:57 PM Post #3395504
| So many questions...
tab:
Amazed that your google search didn't turn up red buckeye (Aesculus pavia); maybe because it can be tree-like? That's a great plant for everyone conversing here.
nanny:
I posted a list on that thread; don't hold it against me, I didn't create the tone. I will paste that list here, if anyone wishes. I always list the botanical name with the common name, so that whatever language you or others speak, you've got a chance to be in on the conversation.
pelle:
You can prune viburnums any time you want. You just have to realize that you are giving something up, and your birds may hold it against you.
Prune right after flowering, and you will get plenty of new growth in time to set flower buds for next year. BUT...you won't have fruit on those stems.
Prune during fall/winter after birds have consumed the fruit. BUT...you won't have flowers on those stems next spring, and thus no fruit on those stems.
Life is a trade-off. I just say: get more property, or annex your friends and neighbors (neighborhood?).
Maybe a chat with the friendly neighborhood viburnophile could turn up some plants... |
pelletory
Marlton, NJ
April 15, 2007
4:43 PM Post #3395649
| LOL, Thanks Viburnum! We would love to see the list when you have time to copy it to here. Maybe you could tell us your favorite places to buy from.
You might have seen my earlier post about the $250 Serviceberry at one of the local garden centers. I wouldn't mind buying mail order but that brings up another question:
How fast growing are Viburnums, Serviceberrys and Elderberrys?
Ps, Wish I could buy more land but no way with NJ taxes.
This message was edited Apr 16, 2007 7:46 AM |
tabasco
Cincinnati (Anderson, OH
(Zone 6a)
April 15, 2007
4:55 PM Post #3395680
| pelle, I don't think your honeysuckle is one of the invasives-- yours looks to be a Lonicera sempervirens which is talked about in this BBG article:
[HYPERLINK@www.bbg.org]
VV, yes, the red buckeye is a favorite and I don't know why they/I missed it. We have them in our yard.
We have some nice birch trees and an elm and I would like for the returning Orioles to make a nest in them this year. I wish I had an apple or cherry tree for them to find their food too. I put out my sliced oranges and orangey-currant suet and grape jelly but they like insects the best. Wishing and hoping...
The blue birds love to make their nests in old apple orchards and even old tree stumps and snags or used woodpecker holes and cavities (and of course nest boxes). I don't have an old orchard but I do have a snag and a stump this year. In other times I would have had the felled trees promptly chopped and hauled away, but now I have a little treasure trove of dead tree parts to add to my wildlife habitat! In any case, it's time to put up the blue bird nest boxes.
I am on the lookout for nest building but haven't found any so far. I read the birds really like the hair from horses tails for nests...I wonder where I can find that!
Take care.
|
ViburnumValley
Scott County, KY
(Zone 5b)
April 15, 2007
5:27 PM Post #3395813
| Tab:
Move down here to horse country. No extra effort required.
We've had orioles each of the last two years. Their nests were spotted in an elm once, and in a hackberry the other time. Fingers crossed for you...
pelle:
All the plants you listed can be fast growing...depending on the species. The idea is to plant everything you want, and then get out of the way. Some will be quicker, some will be slower. The birds don't care about speed. They care about endurance.
Species that can last in the long term in your climate and conditions are the values that birds will appreciate, and reward you with by showing up repeatedly. Elderberries are the fastest to gain size, and set really large heads of fruit after flowering.
I was only half kidding about the neighborhood. If you are good at conversing with neighbors, you might effect a change in the popularity of local landscapes for any number of bird species. Every human likes different kinds of plants. Your job is to find out what strikes the fancy of the senior citizens down the next block; the young couple next door; the yuppies across the street; etc. etc. etc. A neighborhood arboretum might just as well be a neighorhood aviary.
The only limit is your imagination.
|
pelletory
Marlton, NJ
April 15, 2007
6:30 PM Post #3396178
| Thanks tab! The man at that garden center said this was not one of the bad invasive ones but I wasn't sure since there wasn't a tag. Thanks for the link. I'll have to get some better pics when it starts blooming again.
Thanks VV, can't wait till the weather breaks to get out and start looking around again. I'll be sure to let you know what I wind up buying. |
QuinJ
Annandale, NJ
July 6, 2007
11:35 AM Post #3702969
| Great post,
Can we expand this to plants that attract insect-eating birds. I am thinking along the line of plants that attract insect based on their seed, sap, bark etc. I would love to attract some more wablers, flycatchers and any suggestion of plants would be appreciated. One example of a tree that birds in my garden love for its bark, seed, sap and more is my weeping Birch. I have seen a host of birds in it looking for grubs, bugs etc.
Any advice appreciated.
QuinJ |
pelletory
Marlton, NJ
July 6, 2007
1:02 PM Post #3703310
| Great idea QuinJ! Hope others will chip in w/ their thoughts or knowledge.
|
nanny_56
Putnam County, IN
(Zone 5b)
July 6, 2007
2:27 PM Post #3703615
| My goodness, I lost track of this thread and just rediscovered it today.
Viburnum Valley, I know ... There all all types of people here, so it's just a matter of finding the threads that work for you, or start you're own!!! Much more pleaseant here though! |
tabasco
Cincinnati (Anderson, OH
(Zone 6a)
July 6, 2007
3:02 PM Post #3703740
|
LOL
Well, I haven't seen even one oriole this summer/spring! We have had loads of Woodpeckers and I wonder if that is because the dreaded "Emerald Ash Borer" is finding its way into these parts. We have many, many ash trees, but not for long I dread!
Our birch trees are a 'hive' of activity too, but I am not sure exactly why...will have to go out and have a good look at them. the other trees that seem to have a whole community buzzing about in them are the blue spruces and cedars. I am not sure what is in there that is so attractive.
Went to the Native Plant Nursery (Earthscapes) yesterday to check out Paw-paws, ,sassafrass, spicebush and wafer ash trees for the butterflies (swallowtail caterpiller host plants) and red buckeye (hummers). So many choices there. Also the hop tree is a butterfly cat favorite. And of course, if you promote cats in your garden, the birds will love you for it!
I don't quite understand why we don't see more red buckeyes in the area---they seem to be a very nice tree according to the nurseryman. Hummers love it in the springtime. and lilacs, too.
I was just out in our garden after visiting our friends 'yard'. We had so many beautiful birds flying about and at least 6 different kinds of butterflies today compared to their rather dull landscape...it made me happy that we plant what we do (although it looks a bit messy sometimes) and that we have so much wildlife around.
|
pelletory
Marlton, NJ
July 6, 2007
3:36 PM Post #3703824
| I'm going to start searching around about what trees birds like because of bugs.
The Cedar Waxwings stayed for a while every evening in my Sycamore tree and someone here mentioned they like the bugs from that tree. They also like the apple tree when it was in blossom.
tab, I agree about the red buckeye and I never see it around here either.
|
tabasco
Cincinnati (Anderson, OH
(Zone 6a)
July 6, 2007
5:12 PM Post #3704209
|
The cedar waxwings decended on our Serviceberries and finished them off in a few days. It was fun to watch them. First time we saw CWW in our yard.
I know the Hummingbirds like spiders, so if you have lots of spider webs in your trees that's a good thing for HBs...don't know if it's good for the trees though! I used to hose down my trees but now I let the spiders go and the HBs love it.
I'm trying to grow butterfly caterpillars on my parslies and the robins are having a field day with them! RIP the caterpillars! Don't tell the folks on the BF forum, though! (just kidding)
What else, oh, the goldfinches on the Sunflowers are a riot! A very pretty and lively scene, too!
I will be interested to find out what your research results are pell. Be sure to let us know. |
pelletory
Marlton, NJ
August 16, 2007
5:39 PM Post #3864977
| Bump!
Time to check out the lists for attracting birds again. :-) |
tabasco
Cincinnati (Anderson, OH
(Zone 6a)
August 16, 2007
5:51 PM Post #3865019
|
With the havoc this drought is taking on our shrubs, I think I'm going to have space to replant a few new trees and bushes so I'm going to read through this thread again!
Thanks for finding it, pelle. (That was quick!) :-)
Just in time for the tree nursery sales! |
pelletory
Marlton, NJ
August 16, 2007
7:08 PM Post #3865279
| Did we mention Hummingbirds love large flowered Salvias and large flowered Agastache?
Heres one on the Black & Blue Salvia.
Sorry the pic isn't great but it was taken through a double glass slider.
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
tabasco
Cincinnati (Anderson, OH
(Zone 6a)
August 17, 2007
6:16 AM Post #3866750
|
pelle--how do you overwinter your 'black and blue' salvia? |
pelletory
Marlton, NJ
August 17, 2007
9:19 AM Post #3867099
| LOL, Good question tab! These are the first I've had. I do know they are iffy to overwinter here in the ground. I was going to go to a cutting class and they said you could overwinter the plants inside in a room that was above freezing close to 50 degrees and put in an area near a window that gets sun.
I would try it but I don't think it's going to work for me.We have electric heat which is SO drying on plants, then theres the bug issue.
I think I'm going to try putting them in the ground. I heard that if you have the salvias that have the hollow type stems you'll have a better chance of them surviving if you leave the stems on and don't cut them back until after winter.
There are lots of salvias that overwinter fine here and next year I plan on ordering a number of different ones. :-) |
tabasco
Cincinnati (Anderson, OH
(Zone 6a)
August 17, 2007
11:24 AM Post #3867463
|
It's the first year for mine, too, and I can't quite figure out how to handle the 'black and blue' either.
But, I did find this good thread on garden web of northern gardeners talking about overwintering it. Lot's of different ideas...
[HYPERLINK@forums.gardenweb.com]
|
pelletory
Marlton, NJ
August 17, 2007
12:07 PM Post #3867623
| That is a good one tab. Thanks! |
