By Olivia Carvalho, Community Engagement Specialist, Birds Canada and Natasha Barlow, Ontario Programs Biologist, Birds Canada
As we all look forward to a little more daylight, we can’t help but dream of the plants that will soon be growing in our gardens, large containers, or in pots on our patios and balconies. And along with our plants, the return of feathered friends during spring bird migration! It is the perfect time of year to learn more about becoming a bird-friendly gardener, and how you can create habitat in your yard or garden that provides life-saving resources for birds!
Song Sparrow on an Oregon Grape. Photo: Jon Anderson
Creating an ideal space for birds begins with food, water, and shelter. Planting species that attract insects and pollinators, along with other plants that provide nectar, fruit and seeds throughout the year, is an excellent way to offer a variety of food options for birds during migration while also helping resident birds that keep you company year-round. From warblers, hummingbirds, woodpeckers to American Goldfinches – get ready to get planting and birding!
We hope the following list will inspire you, but be sure to check out our Gardening for Birds native plant database to identify your “Bird Garden Zone” which will ensure you choose the best native plants to support your local ecosystem. You will find everything you need with the support of our extensive database of more than 500 native Canadian plants which is searchable by region, specific site conditions, or gardening and bird interests.
Recommended plants for your bird garden:
Western Yarrow (Achillea millefolium var. occidentalis)
This tough as nails plant can grow in any Bird Garden Zone across Canada! Choose a sunny, moist but well-drained area and enjoy an extended bloom period from May-September.
Why birds love it: The flowers attract insect pollinators, and provide small seeds as food for birds in fall and winter.
Birds it may support: Insectivores like warblers, and swallows as well as upland game birds, like Sharp-tailed Grouse that rely on the foliage as a food source.
Western Yarrow. Photo: Colin Chapman
Bearberry, Kinnikinnick. Photo: Sean Blaney
Bearberry, Kinnikinnick (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi)
This low-growing, evergreen shrub is a great addition to shade or sunny gardens in dry, moist but well-drained areas. It remains green throughout the winter adding lovely colour all year.
Why birds love it: The berries in the autumn/winter provide food for birds and other wildlife.
Birds it may support: American Robin, Hermit Thrush, Evening Grosbeaks, sparrows and other ground-feeding birds.
Spotted Jewelweed (Impatiens capensis)
This uniquely shaped flowering plant is an excellent addition to any sunny to shade garden with moist to wet conditions. It is an annual, so get to know the seedlings in spring. They can seed prolifically but excess seedlings are very easy to remove in early spring.
Why birds love it: The stunning orange speckled flowers provide food for insect pollinators, nectar for hummingbirds, and small seeds as food for birds and other wildlife after the flowers have finished blooming. This plant often is at peak flowering during the height of the southward migration of Ruby-throated hummingbirds.
Spotted Jewelweed. Photo: David Mazerolle
Birds it may support: Ruby-throated Hummingbirds feed on their nectar while species like the Ruffed Grouse eat the seeds.
Marsh Marigold. Photo: Kevin Kavanagh
Marsh Marigold (Caltha palustris)
This rockstar of a plant is ideal for partial shade to full sun environments that are moist to wet. It’s an early bloomer, sporting yellow flowers in early spring, and can be planted in any Bird Garden Zone across Canada if the conditions are right!
Why birds love it: The flowers provide for insect pollinators, nectar and small seeds as food for birds.
Birds it may support: Being one of the early spring blooming plants, pollinating insects benefit, which in turn supports insect-eating birds. Hummingbirds are attracted to the nectar, while Wood Ducks feed on seeds later in the season.
Black/Brown-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)
A glowing pop of colour to add to any garden. This stand-out yellow showy flower grows across much of Canada, in sunny, dry/moist sites, and supports insects while in bloom and small seeds as food for birds later in the fall and winter.
Why birds love it: Long lasting flowers host many insect pollinators that benefit insectivores. The plants produce an abundance of seed which attract many birds fond of small seeds in fall and winter.
Black/Brown-eyed Susan. Photo: David Mazerolle
Birds it may support: The seeds attract various migrating and wintering sparrows (e.g. American Tree Sparrow), along with American Goldfinch and Black-capped Chickadees.
Marsh Marigold. Photo: Kevin Kavanagh
Red-osier Dogwood (Cornus sericea)
If you’re looking for something a bit bigger to add to your garden or landscape, consider a Red-osier Dogwood, which can grow in any Bird Garden Zone across Canada. Choose a partial shade to sunny, moist to wet area, to have this magnificent plant provide flowers for insect pollinators, and nectar and berries for birds. And, enjoy the iconic red branches in the winter that standout across much of the landscape!
Why birds love it: Yellow Warblers and American Goldfinches can often be found nesting here. Berries are produced over much of the late summer and fall season which attract a variety of berry eating birds.
Birds it may support: Many species eat the fruit! You may expect to see White-throated Sparrows, Northern Flickers, vireos (Warbling, Red-eyed, etc.), thrushes (Swainson’s, Eastern Bluebird, American Robin), waxwings (Cedar, Bohemian) and more!
Milkweed (Asclepias spp.)
Milkweed is a flowering, medium sized, herbaceous plant that has showy globe blooms and flowers in the summers. Planting Milkweed will add a pop of colour to your summer garden while attracting beneficial insects. Later in the season, their soft fluffy seeds and fibrous stems make great nesting material.
Like all native plants, Milkweed suitability will depend on where you live:
- Butterfly Milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa) – Appropriate for planting in Ontario
- Showy Milkweed (Ascelpias speciosa) – Appropriate for planting in British Columbia
Why birds love it: Milkweed supports our feathered friends in several ways – by providing nectar for hummingbirds, small seeds which are eaten by finches and redpolls, and by attracting insects that are food for insectivorous birds. The fibrous stem husks can also be used by some birds, like the American Goldfinch, to line their nests. Milkweed comes in a variety of species, so be sure to plant the species that is most likely to succeed based on your Bird Garden Zone and site conditions. Take a look at our Native Plant Database to see which one can work for your region.
Butterfly Milkweed. Photo: Natasha Barlow
Creating a bird-friendly garden is a simple yet powerful way to support bird populations while enhancing your outdoor space. Happy planting and happy birdwatching!
For further resources visit https://www.birdscanada.org/gardening-for-birds
