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Songbirds bring joy and life to our gardens with their beautiful melodies and vibrant colors. We can create a welcoming space for these feathered friends by planting the right flora in our yards. Certain plants provide food, shelter, and nesting materials that attract a variety of songbird species.
We create a natural habitat that supports local bird populations by adding bird-friendly plants to our gardens. These plants not only benefit birds but also enhance the beauty of our outdoor spaces. With the right mix of trees, shrubs, flowers, and vines, we can enjoy a lively backyard filled with the sights and sounds of diverse songbirds throughout the year.
1. Eastern Red Cedar
Eastern red cedar is a great tree for attracting songbirds to your yard. Despite its name, it’s actually a type of juniper. This evergreen can grow up to 65 feet tall, though most reach about 30 feet.
The dense branches of Eastern red cedar provide excellent shelter for birds. Female trees produce small blue berries that many bird species love to eat. These berries are an important food source, especially in winter.
We recommend planting Eastern red cedar if you want to create a bird-friendly environment. It’s hardy in zones 3-9 and prefers full sun and well-drained soil. This native North American tree is a valuable addition to any backyard bird habitat.
2. Serviceberry
Serviceberry is a top choice for attracting songbirds to your garden. This small tree or shrub produces white flowers in spring, followed by tasty berries in early summer.
Many birds love serviceberries, including robins, waxwings, and thrushes. The berries provide an important food source when other fruits aren’t yet ripe.
We recommend planting serviceberry in a sunny spot with well-drained soil. It’s hardy in many climates and doesn’t need much care once established. Besides feeding birds, serviceberry adds beauty to the landscape. Its fall foliage turns lovely shades of orange and red.
3. Crabapple
Crabapple trees are a great addition to any garden looking to attract songbirds. These small deciduous trees produce beautiful spring flowers and abundant fruit that birds love.
Crabapples come in many varieties, ranging from 6 to 30 feet tall. Their showy blossoms appear in spring, followed by small fruit in late summer and fall.
Many birds are drawn to crabapples, including robins, cedar waxwings, and finches. The fruit provides an important food source, especially in winter when other options are scarce.
Popular bird-friendly crabapple varieties include ‘Adams’, ‘Prairifire’, and ‘Red Jade’. These cultivars offer persistent fruit that lasts well into the colder months.
4. Hawthorn
Hawthorn trees are excellent for attracting songbirds to our yards. These small trees produce bright red berries that many birds love to eat. The berries stay on the tree into winter, providing food when other sources are scarce.
Hawthorns also offer dense branches that make great nesting spots for birds. Many songbird species use hawthorns for shelter and to build their nests.
We can plant hawthorns in full sun or partial shade. They adapt well to different soil types. Hawthorns are hardy and don’t need much care once established.
5. Elderberry
Elderberry is a fantastic choice for attracting songbirds to your yard. This deciduous shrub grows 5 to 12 feet tall and produces clusters of small white flowers in spring.
The flowers attract insects, which in turn draw insect-eating birds. Later in the season, elderberry develops dark purple berries that many bird species love.
We’ve observed mockingbirds, thrushes, and cedar waxwings enjoying elderberries. The dense foliage also provides good shelter for nesting birds.
Elderberry is easy to grow and adapts well to most soil types. It’s a native plant in many parts of North America, making it an excellent choice for natural gardens.
6. Mulberry
Mulberry trees are a great choice for attracting songbirds to our gardens. These medium-sized trees produce sweet, juicy berries that birds love.
Many bird species flock to mulberry trees when the fruit is ripe. Mockingbirds, thrushes, orioles, and cedar waxwings are just a few of the birds we might spot.
Mulberry trees grow well in USDA zones 4-9. They can reach heights of 15-40 feet, depending on the variety. The trees also provide good shelter for birds with their dense foliage.
We can plant mulberry trees in full sun to partial shade. They’re fairly low-maintenance once established and can provide years of bird-watching enjoyment.
7. Dogwood
Dogwood trees are excellent for attracting songbirds to your yard. These trees produce small red berries in late summer and fall that many birds love to eat.
The flowers of dogwoods also attract insects, which in turn draw insect-eating birds. Dogwoods provide good nesting spots for birds too.
We recommend planting dogwoods in well-drained, slightly acidic soil. They do best with some shade but can handle full sun too. Add mulch around the base to keep the soil moist.
There are many varieties of dogwood to choose from. Flowering dogwood and kousa dogwood are popular options that grow well in most areas.
8. Chokecherry
Chokecherry is a native North American shrub or small tree that attracts many songbirds. Its small fruits ripen in late summer, providing food for various bird species.
Cedar waxwings, chickadees, and eastern bluebirds are among the birds that enjoy chokecherries. Gray catbirds and tufted titmice also seek out these berries.
Beyond fruit, chokecherry offers dense thickets for shelter and nesting sites. This makes it a valuable addition to bird-friendly gardens.
The plant is hardy and low-maintenance. It can form spreading clusters, making it useful for landscape erosion control.
9. American Holly
American holly is a great plant for attracting songbirds to your yard. This evergreen tree provides year-round shelter for birds, offering a safe place to roost and nest.
The bright red berries on female holly trees are a favorite food source for many bird species. Robins, mockingbirds, and cedar waxwings are particularly drawn to these fruits.
We recommend planting both male and female holly trees to ensure berry production. The dense foliage also gives cover to fledglings learning to fly.
American holly can grow quite tall, reaching up to 15-25 feet in height. It thrives in full sun to partial shade and prefers well-drained soil.
10. Blueberry
Blueberry bushes are a fantastic addition to any garden looking to attract songbirds. These plants offer both tasty berries and shelter for our feathered friends.
Many bird species love blueberries, including robins, catbirds, and thrushes. The bushes provide dense foliage where birds can hide from predators or build nests.
We recommend planting several blueberry bushes together for the best results. This creates a more attractive habitat for birds and increases berry production.
Blueberries grow well in acidic soil and full sun. They need regular watering but are otherwise low-maintenance. With proper care, these bushes will produce fruit and attract birds for many years.
11. Bee Balm
Bee balm is a top choice for attracting songbirds to your garden. This native plant produces vibrant flowers that draw in hummingbirds, finches, and other small birds. The nectar-rich blooms of bee balm are irresistible to many bird species. They provide a valuable food source throughout the summer months.
We love bee balm for its low maintenance needs. It grows well in most soil types and can tolerate both sun and partial shade.
Bee balm comes in various colors like red, pink, and purple. This gives us options to create visually appealing garden spaces while supporting local bird populations.
12. Coneflower
Coneflowers are a top choice for attracting songbirds to our gardens. These colorful perennials produce nectar-rich blooms that draw in butterflies and bees too.
The flowers have flat, wide petals that make great landing spots for birds. After the blooms fade, the cone-shaped centers fill with seeds that birds love to eat.
We can expect to see goldfinches, house finches, and other small songbirds visiting our coneflowers. They’ll feast on the seeds in late summer and fall.
Coneflowers are easy to grow and come in many colors. They handle hot, dry conditions well and bloom for a long time. By planting these native flowers, we create a beautiful and bird-friendly garden space.
13. Black-Eyed Susan
Black-Eyed Susans are bright yellow flowers that attract many songbirds to gardens. These cheerful blooms provide food and shelter for various bird species.
The flowers produce nectar that draws in insects. This insect buffet brings insect-eating birds like warblers and chickadees to feast.
After blooming, Black-Eyed Susans form seed heads. Finches and sparrows love to snack on these nutritious seeds in fall and winter.
We can plant Black-Eyed Susans in sunny spots. They grow 2-3 feet tall and bloom from summer into fall. These low-maintenance flowers are easy to grow and spread quickly.
14. Cardinal Flower
The Cardinal flower is a stunning plant that attracts songbirds to gardens. Its bright red blooms are especially appealing to hummingbirds. This plant thrives in moist soil and partial shade. It can grow 2 to 4 feet tall and spread up to 2 feet wide.
We recommend planting a cardinal flower in a spot with morning sun. It works well in bog gardens or woodland areas. Besides hummingbirds, the cardinal flower also draws butterflies and bees. Its nectar-rich flowers make it a favorite among pollinators.
For best results, we suggest choosing a location with well-draining soil. With proper care, cardinal flowers can be a vibrant addition to any garden seeking to attract songbirds.
15. Coreopsis
Coreopsis, also known as tickseed, is a bright and cheerful flower that attracts songbirds to gardens. We love how these golden blooms add a pop of color while serving as a natural bird feeder.
Many bird species enjoy snacking on coreopsis seeds. The plant’s sturdy stems make it easy for birds to perch and feed.
Coreopsis grows well in full sun and tolerates dry conditions. It’s a low-maintenance choice for gardeners looking to bring more feathered friends to their yards.
We recommend planting coreopsis in groups to create an inviting habitat for birds. The flowers also attract butterflies and bees, making them great for overall garden biodiversity.
