Plants, Bushes and Trees that Provide Food for Birds
Depending on where you live, the following plants, bushes, and trees will attract birds such as the Cedar Waxwing, Vireo, Robin, Northern Mockingbird, Cat Bird, Winter Wren, Redheaded Woodpecker, and the White-throated Sparrow. Many more birds love the food these trees, bushes, and plants provide. The following bushes, trees, and plants also provide birds and other wildlife with shelter and security. What could be better than having all your needs in one location? Provide the following trees, bushes, and plants and you’ll surely have dozens of birds eating the foods they provide. Your yard will become a safe haven and a place for birds to get the best food in the area.
Wintergreen
This low growing shade favoring plant is a favorite of birds. Wintergreen provides food, security, and shelter from bad weather. It’s a beautiful groundcover that reaches a maximum height of approximately eight inches, and it can be potted and displayed on a porch, deck, patio, or balcony. Wintergreen has beautiful shiny deep green leaves and bright red berries that birds absolutely love. The deep green leaves turn crimson in late fall and winter, and cuttings are great for decorating the home. Wintergreen is best suited for zones four through eight.
Red Bearberry
Bearberry, which is also called “Kinnikinick” got its name because bears have been known to dine on the juicy berries it produces. Birds also love the food provided by the Red Bearberry plant. A Bearberry is actually a low growing shrub that creeps over the ground. The trailing stems of the Bearberry shrub can reach a length of approximately 10 inches, and the shrub grows to a maximum height of approximately one foot. Kinnikinick or Red Bearberry is best suited for zones two through six.
Black Cherry
If you don’t plant any other food source for birds, this one is by far the most popular. People love black cherries, so it’s no wonder why birds also love the juicy flavorful berries provided compliments of Mother Nature. It is said that approximately fifty different species of birds love to eat the food provided by the Black Cherry tree. The food is not only the reason to plant the Black Cherry tree. Black Cherry trees have beautiful white flowers in the spring, and the bark is beautiful all year long. In autumn Black Cherry trees have beautiful yellow leaves. Generally Black Cherry trees reach a maximum height of eighty feet and are best suited for zones four through nine.
Washington Hawthorn
The Washington Hawthorn tree is a good choice for those wanting to provide natural food for birds and other wildlife. The Washington Hawthorn tree not only provides an abundance of food, but it also provides much needed shelter and security for the many birds it attracts. This tree that prefers full sun on average spreads out to approximately 25 feet in diameter and is adorned with beautiful white flowers in the spring. Plant this food bearing tree for birds residing in zones four through eight.