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Planting berry-producing shrubs and trees in your garden can create a vibrant oasis for wildlife. These plants offer food and shelter to birds, insects, and small mammals throughout the year. By adding berries to your garden, you can attract a diverse range of creatures and support local ecosystems.
We’ve put together a list of 15 top berry plants that will bring more wildlife to your yard. These plants are easy to grow and provide beautiful colors and textures. They also offer natural pest control as birds eat insects along with the berries.
1. American Elderberry
American elderberry is a top choice for attracting wildlife to your garden. This native shrub produces clusters of small, dark berries that birds and small mammals love.
The berries ripen in late summer and early fall, providing a food source when other options are scarce. Many species of birds, including robins, catbirds, and thrushes, feast on elderberries.
Elderberry bushes also support butterflies and moths. The Cecropia moth, North America’s largest moth, uses elderberry as a host plant for its caterpillars.
We recommend planting elderberry in moist soil with full sun or partial shade. It’s easy to grow and maintains a vigorous growth habit.
2. Common Juniper
The common juniper is a great berry-producing plant for wildlife. Its dense branches offer shelter from harsh weather and nesting spots for birds.
The berries provide essential nutrients that help birds survive tough winters. Many bird species like thrushes and waxwings eat juniper berries.
Juniper plants are hardy and can thrive in various climates. They need little maintenance once established. We recommend planting common juniper in sunny spots with well-draining soil.
The evergreen foliage adds year-round interest to gardens. Juniper berries start green and turn blue-black when ripe. This creates an attractive display that both wildlife and humans can enjoy.
3. Highbush Blueberry
Highbush blueberries are a great choice for attracting wildlife to our gardens. These native shrubs can grow up to 15 feet tall and produce large, sweet berries in summer. We love that highbush blueberries offer both food and shelter for various animals. Birds especially enjoy snacking on the ripe fruits.
In fall, the leaves turn beautiful shades of orange and red. This adds visual interest to our landscapes while still supporting local wildlife.
Highbush blueberries prefer full to partial sun and moist, acidic soil. We can plant them along borders or edges to create attractive natural barriers in our yards.
4. Nannyberry Viburnum
Nannyberry Viburnum is a great choice for attracting wildlife to your garden. This native shrub or small tree produces clusters of blue-black berries that birds love.
The fruits ripen in late fall and often stay on the plant through winter. This provides a valuable food source for birds during colder months.
Many bird species enjoy nannyberry fruits, including robins, waxwings, and thrashers. The plant’s white spring flowers also attract pollinators.
Nannyberry Viburnum is easy to grow and care for. It adapts well to different soil types and can thrive in full sun or partial shade.
We recommend adding this versatile shrub to your wildlife-friendly garden. Its year-round interest and benefits for birds make it a top pick.
5. Winterberry Holly
Winterberry holly is a stunning shrub that brings color to winter gardens. It produces bright red berries that persist long after its leaves drop in fall. These berries are a favorite food source for many birds. Robins, woodpeckers, and bluebirds love to feast on winterberry holly.
We recommend planting both male and female shrubs. Only female plants produce berries, but they need a male nearby for pollination. Winterberry holly grows well in zones 3-9. It prefers moist soil and can thrive in wet areas where other plants struggle.
6. Serviceberry
Serviceberry is a fantastic choice for attracting wildlife to your garden. This native North American shrub or small tree grows 15-25 feet tall and wide.
In spring, serviceberry produces fragrant white flowers that draw in pollinators. The purple-black berries that follow in early summer are a favorite food for many birds.
We love Serviceberry for its ability to support a wide range of wildlife. Birds like waxwings, thrushes, woodpeckers, and cardinals flock to feast on the nutritious berries.
Serviceberry is easy to grow in full sun or partial shade. Its attractive silver bark adds winter interest to the landscape.
7. Black Chokeberry
Black chokeberry is a fantastic addition to any wildlife-friendly garden. This native shrub produces clusters of white flowers in spring, followed by dark berries in fall.
Many bird species, including robins and cedar waxwings, feast on the fruit. The berries are also edible for humans, though they have a tart flavor.
Black chokeberry is easy to grow and adapts well to different soil types. It thrives in full sun or partial shade and can reach 3 to 6 feet tall.
We love this shrub for its multi-season interest. In autumn, the leaves turn vibrant shades of red and purple, adding color to the garden.
8. Red Osier Dogwood
Red osier dogwood is a great choice for attracting wildlife to your garden. This hardy shrub grows well in zones 2-7 and thrives in moist soil. The berries of red osier dogwood are a favorite food source for many birds. They provide sustenance during cold winter months when other food is scarce.
We love the bright red stems of this dogwood variety. They add striking color to the winter landscape after the leaves have fallen.
Red osier dogwood is easy to grow and maintain. It tolerates both full sun and partial shade. Regular pruning helps keep the shrub healthy and vibrant.
This native North American plant supports local ecosystems. It provides shelter and nesting sites for birds and small animals in addition to food.
9. Flowering Raspberry
Flowering raspberry (Rubus odoratus) is a great choice for attracting wildlife to your garden. This native plant produces beautiful pink flowers that bloom from late spring to early fall.
The flowers attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. After flowering, it develops edible red berries that birds and small mammals love to eat.
Flowering raspberry grows best in partial shade and moist, well-drained soil. It can reach 3-6 feet tall and spread 3-5 feet wide, making it a good option for borders or natural areas.
We recommend planting flowering raspberries in groups for the best visual impact and wildlife benefits. It’s a low-maintenance plant that adds beauty and biodiversity to any garden.
9. Common Snowberry
Common snowberry is a fantastic choice for attracting wildlife to your garden. This deciduous shrub produces striking white berries that persist through winter, providing food for birds and other animals when other sources are scarce.
The shrub’s small pink flowers bloom in spring and summer, attracting pollinators like bees and butterflies. Its dense foliage offers shelter for small birds and mammals.
Snowberry is easy to grow and maintain. It tolerates various soil types and light conditions, making it adaptable to different garden settings. We recommend planting it in groups or as a hedge for maximum wildlife benefit.
10. Eastern Redcedar
This evergreen grows 20-70 feet tall and produces small blueberries. These berries are a favorite food for many birds, including thrushes and waxwings.
Eastern redcedar also provides shelter for birds and small mammals. Its dense foliage offers protection from harsh weather and predators.
We can plant eastern redcedar in full sun or partial shade. It’s adaptable to different soil types and doesn’t need much water once established.
11. Wild Strawberry
Wild strawberries are a great addition to any wildlife garden. These tiny berries pack a flavorful punch that attracts birds and small mammals. We love how easy wild strawberries are to grow. They thrive in many climates and soil types.
The plants spread quickly, creating a nice ground cover. Wild strawberries bloom with small white flowers in spring. The fruits ripen in early summer. While small, they’re very sweet and fragrant.
Many animals enjoy snacking on wild strawberries. Birds like robins and finches eat them. Chipmunks, mice, and other small creatures also feast on the berries. The plants provide shelter for insects and small animals too. Butterflies often visit the flowers for nectar.
13. Inkberry
Inkberry holly is a great choice for attracting wildlife to your garden. This shrub produces small black berries that birds love to eat in late winter and early spring. The dense foliage of inkberry also provides excellent shelter for birds and small animals. We recommend planting inkberry in areas with moist, acidic soil.
Inkberry is low-maintenance and keeps its leaves year-round in most climates. The berries appear in early fall and can last through winter if not eaten by wildlife.
While the flowers are small, they still attract pollinating insects in spring. Inkberry is a native plant in many areas, making it ideal for supporting local ecosystems.
14. Hawthorn
Hawthorn trees are excellent for attracting wildlife to our gardens. These small trees produce bright red berries that birds love to eat, especially in winter when food is scarce. The berries, called “haws,” provide a vital food source for many bird species. Cedar waxwings, thrushes, and mockingbirds are just a few of the birds drawn to hawthorn trees.
Hawthorns don’t just feed birds. Their dense branches offer safe nesting spots, while the spring flowers attract bees and butterflies.
We can plant hawthorns as standalone trees or use them to create wildlife-friendly hedges. They grow well in full sun and are hardy in many climates.
15. Elderberry
Elderberry shrubs are excellent for attracting wildlife to gardens. These native plants produce clusters of small berries that birds and other animals love to eat. We recommend planting elderberry varieties like Adams or Black Beauty. They grow well in most climates and provide food for wildlife year-round.
The white flowers bloom in spring, drawing pollinators. By late summer, dark purple berries appear. These nutritious fruits feed many bird species through fall and winter.
Elderberry shrubs also offer shelter for small animals. Their dense branches create good nesting spots for songbirds. For best results, we suggest planting elderberries in groups. This creates more food and habitat for local wildlife.
