arrowwood viburnum
Viburnum dentatum 'Blue Muffin'
This handsome selection of the North American native arrowwood viburnum boasts neat foliage, white spring … Continued
browsing: songbird food source
Many songbirds and other wildlife depend on seeds and fruit produced by various plants and feed on the insects drawn into our gardens. The following is a list of plants that provide fruit, nuts, and seeds for various songbirds.
Since 1970 the population of North American birds has dropped nearly 30% — almost three billion birds have vanished from our forests, grasslands, and backyards in less than a human lifetime. It’s a chilling fact that makes it clear that we must act as individuals to help ensure their survival.
Most importantly, ninety-six percent of all terrestrial bird species rear their young on insects so it is also important to grow plants that feed insects to provide a well-rounded habitat in your garden.
Visit our Butterfly Gardening page to find
host plant lists for butterfly and moth species!
pawpaw
Asimina triloba
This native understory tree or large shrub grows 15-20’ tall (sometimes to 30’) and occurs … Continued
wild white indigo, prairie false indigo
Baptisia alba var. macrophylla / Baptisia lactea
A stately plant with white flowers in June followed by black pods that make fabulous … Continued
yellow birch, swamp birch
Best grown in moist, acidic, sandy or rocky, well-drained soil in afternoon shade to protect … Continued
clump river birch
Betula nigra
Vigorous, fast-growing, medium-sized, native deciduous tree which occurs on floodplains, swampy bottomlands, and along streams. … Continued
black gum, tupelo
Nyssa sylvatica
One of the best native trees for fall color according to Michael Dirr, black tupelo … Continued
blue grama grass, mosquito grass
Bouteloua gracilis
A tufted, warm-season native grass with distinctive caterpillar-like seed spikes which hang from one side … Continued
box elder
Acer negundo
This hardy, fast-growing native tree can survive dry and extremely cold conditions. Food source for … Continued
brown-eyed Susan
Rudbeckia triloba
Native to the United States, this yellow flowering perennial is often seen in old fields … Continued
American beautyberry
Callicarpa americana
A rounded, deciduous shrub with upright-arching branches. The best ornamental feature of this shrub is … Continued
Canada Red chokecherry
Prunus virginiana
A hardy and colorful native tree is perfect for difficult spots, tolerating heat, cold, wind, … Continued
shagbark hickory
Carya ovata
A long-lived shade tree with a straight trunk, excellent shade. This Midwest native is named … Continued