Plant Species for Birds

Below are some plant species to consider for wildlife habitat. Check with a local nursery on plants suitable for your area. Some of these plants, while suited for wildlife, may have characteristics such as shallow roots or weak limbs that make them inappropriate for small urban properties--or they may not be winter hardy in all locations. Birds eat any flower seed, depending on the kind of bird and seed.

Trees for Birds

American beech (Fagus grandifolia), American holly (Ilex opaca), Balsam fir (Abies balsamea), Black cherry (Prunus serotina), Black gum (Nyssa sylvatica), Crabapple (Malus spp.), Flowering dogwood (Cornus florida), Hawthorns (Crataegus spp.), Hickories (Carya spp.), Live oak (Quercus virginiana), Oaks (Quercus spp.), Red mulberry (Morus rubra)

Shrubs for Birds

Common juniper (Juniperus communis), Highbush blueberry (Vaccinium spp.), Hollies -- both evergreen and deciduous species (Ilex spp.), Pyracantha (Pyracantha spp.), Red-osier dogwood (Cornus stolonifera), Serviceberry (Amelanchier arborea), Spicebush (Lindera benzoin), Sumacs (Rhus spp.), Viburnums (Viburnum spp.), Wax myrtle (Myrica cerifera)

Vines for Birds

American bittersweet (Celastrus scandens), Trumpet honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens and related spp.), Strawberry (Fragaria spp.), Trumpet creeper or vine (Campis radicans), Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia), Wild grape (Vitis spp.).

Nectar Plants for Hummingbirds, Butterflies, and Bees

Aster (Aster spp.), Azalea (Rhododendron spp.), Bee balm (Monarda spp.), Butterfly bush (Buddleia alternifolia), Butterfly weed and other milkweeds (Asclepias spp.), Cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis), Clover and other legumes, Columbine (Aquilegia spp.), Coneflower (Echinacea spp.), Delphinium (Delphinium spp.), Fuchsia (Fuchsia spp.), Honeysuckle(Lonicera spp.), Jewel weed (Impatiens capensis or I. pallida), Lobelia (Lobelia spp.), Lupine (Lupinus spp.), Penstemon (Penstemon spp.), Phlox(Phlox spp.), Salvia (Salvia spp.), Trumpet creeper or vine (Campis radicans), Weigela (Weigela spp.), Zinnia (Zinnia spp.)