Bring Life to Your Garden -- Plant Some Critter-friendly Shrubs
Wildlife supports the ecosystems we rely on for food, clean air and water, a stable atmosphere, and more. They eat pest insects and pollinate plants. Most pests are also specialists, only attacking a limited number of plants. In a diverse landscape, plant diseases and pest numbers don’t tend to build up because there isn’t enough of any one plant to support a huge population of pests. And, with many different kinds of animals around, the pest species are more likely to be prey species, limiting their populations. Essentially, the more wildlife you attract, the more benefits come with them!
Honeysuckle -- Lonicera (native available)
Honeysuckle is one of the best wildflowers to plant for wildlife. Not only does it attract a wide variety of animals and birds, but it appeals to some of the most beautiful creatures, as well. In addition to helpful pollinating insects, honeysuckle is a favorite plant of hummingbirds and orioles. This flower’s tubular shape makes it a beautiful feeding place for birds with long beaks, just like the hummingbird. Plus, its high nectar content makes it the perfect place to soak up a ton of energy-boosting food in one quick stop. If its delectable sweetness wasn’t enough to convince you of its worth, it’s pleasant fragrance is reminiscent of honey, and the flowers look fabulous when spring hits.
Elderberry -- Sambucus racemosa (native available)
Growing elderberries is easy and rewarding. Animals of all types and species love to munch on various parts of the shrub, including the berries, branches, and leaves. Elderberries sun requirements are from partial shade to full sun. Even the flowers are consumable and are often made into fried recipes or teas by humans. Larger animals, like deer, elk, and moose love to graze on the branches of elderberry bushes. Typically, the berries are what attract lovely little finches and thrushes. However, they are also a massive lure for omnivorous bears looking to gorge on the delicious fruit.
Weigela (non-native)
Weigela is a cluster of showy flowers beloved in particular by hummingbirds. Their tubular shape and pink or red flowers are what appeals to hummingbirds most. Some subspecies even display deep red flowers to match their burgundy leaves, providing beauty even after the flowers fade. Despite its Floridian name, this non-native shrub originated in Asia and was introduced in the mid-1800s. The size of weigela changes depending on pruning and species. Some grow as little bushes in compact groundcovers of only four feet or less, while some reach as large as ten feet tall.
Serviceberry -- Amelanchier alnifolia (native available)
Serviceberry is a favored tree for attracting birds and small mammals. Its berries are particularly enjoyed by bluebirds, chickadees, and woodpeckers, while chipmunks also like to snack on them. This small tree or shrub produces delicate white flowers in late spring, with berries appearing in June. It typically grows to a height of 10 to 25 feet and can spread up to 15 feet wide.
Hawthorne -- Crataegus (native available)
Trees are superb at drawing wildlife, and Hawthorn trees are notably successful in this regard. These trees can grow as tall as 40 feet and are stunning in the spring when adorned with small white flowers. They are particularly beneficial to animals in winter because their berries remain on the bush. In addition to providing food when other trees and shrubs are bare, Hawthorn trees offer a safe refuge. The thorns on their branches discourage predators from penetrating deep into the brambles, creating a secure nesting area for birds.
Dogwood -- Cornus sericea (native available)
A fantastic idea for bringing in more wildlife is to add Dogwood. This species grows as both a shrub and a small tree and typically doesn’t get any larger than 15 or 25 feet tall. They entice species of all kinds, most notably silk moths and azure butterflies. Their biggest draw is not their flowers, which are tiny and greenish-yellow. Instead, they develop what is known as bracts, extensions on their branches that are a type of modified leaf. These are the most prominent part of the tree and are often mistaken for flowers.
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