Top 10 Bird-Friendly Plants for Your Ontario Garden

• Posted on 31 August 2024
• By Bobbi Wright
• Posted in Attract birds, Backyard birding, Bird feeder plants, Bird garden tips, Bird habitat gardening., Bird-friendly plants, Garden wildlife, native plants, Ontario gardening, The Birdhouse Nature Store
• 0

Discover the top 10 bird-friendly plants perfect for Ontario gardens. This guide highlights plants that attract birds, offering food and shelter. Enhance your garden's beauty and support local bird populations with expert tips and product recommendations from The Birdhouse Nature Store, your birding authority.

Transform your backyard into a bird paradise with these top 10 bird-friendly plants perfect for Ontario gardens. Not only will these plants attract a variety of feathered friends, but they'll also add beauty and diversity to your outdoor space. And right now, being the end of garden season, you may find these plants on discount at local nurseries! And if not, save this article or print it to bring with you in the spring to start the new garden season out right!

1. Sunflower (Helianthus annuus) Sunflowers are a favorite among many bird species, especially goldfinches and chickadees. Their large, bright flowers add a cheerful touch to any garden, and the seeds provide a nutritious food source for birds in late summer and fall.

   Tip: Plant sunflowers in a sunny spot with well-draining soil. Consider leaving the dried flower heads in place for birds to feed on naturally.

2. Coneflower (Echinacea) These hardy perennials are not only beautiful but also attract a wide range of birds, including finches and sparrows. The seed heads persist through winter, providing food when other sources are scarce.

   Tip: Plant coneflowers in full sun to partial shade. They're drought-tolerant once established, making them low-maintenance additions to your garden.

3. Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) Another favorite of seed-eating birds, Black-Eyed Susans are easy to grow and provide food throughout the fall and winter months.

   Tip: These plants thrive in full sun and can tolerate poor soil conditions, making them perfect for novice gardeners.

4. Serviceberry (Amelanchier) This small tree or shrub produces berries that are irresistible to birds like robins, cedar waxwings, and bluebirds. It also provides excellent nesting sites.

    

   Tip: Plant serviceberry in full sun to partial shade. It's adaptable to various soil types but prefers well-draining conditions.

    

5. Dogwood (Cornus) Dogwoods offer both berries for food and dense branches for nesting. They're particularly attractive to cardinals, mockingbirds, and thrushes.

   Tip: Most dogwoods prefer partial shade and moist, well-draining soil. They're excellent for adding year-round interest to your garden.

6. Elderberry (Sambucus) Elderberries are a favorite food source for many bird species and can attract up to 48 different types of birds. The berries are particularly loved by warblers, thrushes, and woodpeckers.

   Tip: Plant elderberries in full sun to partial shade. They prefer moist, well-draining soil and can grow quite large, so give them plenty of space.

7. Trumpet Honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens) This native vine produces tubular flowers that are perfect for hummingbirds. Later in the season, the berries attract other bird species. I have to say- this plant is a favorite of mine. Once it's well established its a show stopper. It can provide privacy as well with how it grows.

   Tip: Provide a trellis or fence for this vine to climb. It prefers full sun but can tolerate some shade.

8. Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis) With its brilliant red flowers, the Cardinal Flower is a magnet for hummingbirds. It's also a native plant, making it an excellent choice for supporting local ecosystems.

   Tip: This plant prefers moist soil and partial shade, making it perfect for areas near water features or in rain gardens.

9. Bee Balm (Monarda) Bee Balm attracts hummingbirds with its tubular flowers and provides seeds for finches and other small birds later in the season.

   Tip: Plant in full sun to partial shade. It prefers moist soil but can tolerate some drought once established.

10. Milkweed (Asclepias) While famous for supporting monarch butterflies, milkweed also attracts various birds. The fluffy seed heads provide nesting material, and some birds eat the seeds.

    Tip: Plant milkweed in full sun. It's drought-tolerant and prefers well-draining soil.

Remember, creating a bird-friendly garden is about more than just plants. Provide water sources, like birdbaths, and consider adding nesting boxes to make your garden even more attractive to our feathered friends.

Visit us at The Birdhouse Nature Store for a wide selection of bird feeders, bird seed, and garden accessories to complement your bird-friendly plantings. Our knowledgeable staff can provide expert advice on attracting and supporting local bird populations.