Want to join the fun and attract cool birds, not to mention mammals and butterflies, in the future? Then native plant species are the way to go!
Going native
As birders, we’ll naturally want to consider our birds when choosing trees, shrubs and flowering plants. It’s not only about the fruits and blooms that benefit comparatively few bird species -- plants support a wide range of birds in other important ways, too.
For example, trees and shrubs provide cover for small birds. And woody plants also harbor a host of insects, also known as bird food. Our native insects that birds thrive on can’t coexist with alien plants, so planting funky non-native stuff is like creating a mini-desert -- you might as well put out plastic palms and pink stick flamingos.
For more information on why it’s so important to choose native plants, check out the new book Bringing Nature Home by Donal Tallamy: view link
It features an appendix on native plants with wildlife value, as well as host plants for butterflies and some of the prettier moths.
Local and hardy
It’s good to know that the native plants of your area are not only much better for birds and wildlife than alien choices -- they’re also beautiful, hardy and affordable.
Because they’re adapted to local conditions, native plants are easier to grow and maintain. Less maintenance means you save both time and money. Likewise, because they require less water, fertilizer and pesticide, natives are better for the environment
And native plants are better able to withstand extreme conditions like droughts and intense rain that are becoming more common with climate change. Often they are better able to stabilize the local soil and thus help reduce erosion and filter runoff from storms. This improves water quality and biodiversity -- yep, starting right in your yard. Our choices matter, folks!
Also, because native insects, etc. are adapted to live with native plants, the natives don’t sprawl unchecked across your landscape like many alien species can (they don’t call them invasives for nothing).
Choosing and finding native plants
Many regional and state agencies support us to plant native species, and there are lots of great (and fun-to-use) resources online and in the phone directory to help you find:
* Native plant guides for your area
* Native plant landscaping plans and advice
* Directories of resources for those interested in native plantings
* Places to buy native plants
One of the best places I’ve seen online for helping you get started with native plants is on eNature.com: view link
It’s beautifully organized and offers everything you need from choosing the right plants for your area to locating a nearby source for buying them.
Another great thing is that there are Native Plant Societies for practically every area of the country. Type “native plant society” into cRANKy or another search engine and you’ll see what I mean! Many people are already on this bandwagon and will be thrilled to welcome you aboard!
I recently learned from a fellow birder in New Hampshire that state, and probably many others, offers strong, easily grown native plant seedlings at terrific prices. Last year he bought silky dogwood and Virginia rose seedlings and they thrived.
The State of New Hampshire Forest Nursery, as it’s called, has a free catalog accessible both online and by mail, which features native trees and shrubs “designed by nature” to attract your groovy local birds. You can get crabapple, mountain ash and other awesome fruiting woody plants for as little as 10 for $10! To get some inspiration visit view link
Use your search engine or Native Plant Society website to check to see what’s available where you live. My birding friend also recommends an excellent book called Trees, Shrubs and Vines for Attracting Birds by Richard DeGraaf: view link
It tells you what birds will use each plant for food, cover and/or nesting.
Planting trees and shrubs for birds is an inexpensive, fun, rewarding, renewable way to improve habitat and food resources for your birds while enhancing the beauty and value of your home and supporting your environment at the same time!
Go native!
Peace and good birding,
Scott Cronenweth
www.naturalpathwalks.com
