Native Plants for Wild Bird Gardens
Let's face it. Wild birds and native plants were meant for each other — in nature and in your yard. By honoring Mother Nature's original plan, you can make sure wild birds in your area get the news and seek you out. No native plants in your garden yet? No problem! You don't have to start from scratch. Start where you are and add native plants to whatever you have. You'll birdscape your landscape, build native biodiversity, and have a primo seat for backyard birding.
Native birds and native plants adapted together.
Why Native Plants?
When you garden with native plants, you do more than create your own special ecosystem in your backyard. By using natives — even to a small degree — you're actually replicating the plant communities that lived there long before you were born.
Native plants in your region adapted through the years to thrive in your climate and your soil. And, as they did, they weren't alone. Wild birds were right beside them, doing the same thing.
Through centuries of coexistence and adaptation, birds and native plants solidified their bond. Plants attract native insects (aka baby bird food), and they provide nectar, fruits and seeds for a four-season bird buffet. That trio of plants, insects and birds depend on each other.
Now that you call the shots and control what happens to your little slice of earth, you can help restore the balance Mother Nature intended — all by adding native plants to your eclectic garden mix.
Native evergreens can provide birds with food and shelter year-round.
Native Plants Birds Love
Whether you start a new flower garden or not, choosing native plants gives you a head start on the types of plants that birds love. Wild birds look for key attributes like shelter, safety and food — and native plants are ready, willing and able to deliver what wild birds want and need.
Native flowers, from early-blooming bleeding hearts to purple coneflowers, black-eyed Susans and extended summer sunflowers (complete with seeds), keep your gorgeous garden drawing wild birds and other pollinators from spring's earliest days until fall frosts come.
Creating a birdscape with native plants that have varying heights goes a long way in keeping wild birds content and safe.
Native trees, shrubs and evergreens — like chokeberries, viburnums, winterberries and junipers — provide protected spots where birds can safely build nests or just hang out in peace. Because those natives bear persistent fruit, your feathery friends are in line for autumn feasts and winter treats.
Native plants are the heart of low-maintenance gardens.
Caring for Native Plants
Attracting wild birds to your garden may be priority No. 1, but native plants come with a lot more bennies. When you choose plants native to your region — not just this continent — they're better adapted to the temperatures, precipitation, native soils and everything else that makes your yard unique.
Yes, that means less supplemental watering, less maintenance, less pest control and more free time for birdwatching!
Premium plant foods that complement Mother Nature's plans are ideal for birdscapes and help keep your new natives beautiful and productive. And Pennington Plant Starter at planting time helps seedlings and transplants thrive.
Pennington Rejuvenate Plant Food All-Purpose 4-4-4 is a perfect way to revitalize your soil and feed your new natives at the same time. This blend of natural and organic ingredients works in harmony with nature, adding goodies like earthworm castings and beneficial microorganisms to your soil.
Pennington Rejuvenate Plant Food Rose & Flower 4-6-3 contains all the goodness of our all-purpose Rejuvenate plant food but with a special ratio of plant nutrients designed to grow bigger, more bountiful blooms and fruits. And it shouldn't surprise you that means your backyard ecosystem gets a major boost in bird-attracting allure.
Birdbaths, feeders and other garden features help birds feel at home.
Bird-Friendly Garden Extras
With native plants as a focal point in your front and backyard birdscapes, wild birds will find their way home. But you can make their landing even better by augmenting your new natives with some bird-friendly and stylish garden additions like simple birdbaths to feeding stations.
Bird feeders and premium bird seed help fill out Mother Nature's menu and pick up where native plants leave off. And with Pennington bird seed blends, you provide birds with nutritious, high-energy food enhanced with vitamins and minerals to enhance bird health.
You'll love our Pennington Copper Roof Café that combines two favorites — premium aromatic Eastern Red Cedar and a copper-colored metal roof — not to mention duel suet feeders and a main hopper perfect for Pennington Ultra Feeding Frenzy seed and suet nugget blend.
If bronze is more to your liking — or the neighborhood squirrels have outstayed their welcome — try our rust-resistant, bronze-tone Pennington Squirrel-Resistant Metal Feeder. You'll want to fill that with Pennington Select Birder's Blend Seed & Mealworm Mix for sure.
By birdscaping with native plants — and adding your own special flourishes with bird-friendly garden features — you can be proud you have a hand in putting Mother Nature's plans back on track and reuniting birds and plants meant to coexist in gardens like yours.
Making garden dreams come true (for people and for birds) is one of our specialties. We're Pennington. Let us help you nurture your roots.
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