Turning Your Backyard into Wild Bird Habitat: Growing Flowers for the Birds

Every time natural habitat is destroyed to make room for more houses or another strip mall, some birds lose their home. I started this series of articles last year hoping to encourage each of you to turn your backyard into wild bird habitat. If we make our backyards bird-friendly, we can make a difference–one yard at a time!
This summer when you select plants for your flowerbeds and pots, think about nectar and seeds not just blossoms. Plants that store nectar will attract hummingbirds and butterflies; seed producing plants will attract many different species of songbirds including chickadees, titmice and finches. The primary purpose of flowers is to attract insects for pollination. This abundance of insects will provide many meals for hungry birds including bluebirds, mockingbirds, wrens.
When possible, choose native, unimproved strains of flowers. Often the flowers of hybridized plants produce less nectar. When planning your flower pots and gardens don’t forget to pick a variety of plants that will bloom throughout the whole season–spring through fall. Below are just a few examples of flowers that you can plant to attract nectar and seed eating birds to your wild bird habitat!

Flowers for seeds:
Zinnias (A)
Marigolds (A)
Sunflowers (A)
Annual Phlox (A)
Black-eyed Susan (P)
Asters (A)
Coneflowers (P)
Coreopsis (P)

Flowers for nectar:
Salvias (A)
Impatiens (A)
Petunias (A)
Bee Balm (P)
Coral bells (P)
Fuchsia (A)

Note: (A) = annual plant; (P) = perennial plant