3
Flowerbeds For Wildlife
While shrubs and trees supply
the framework for your
landscape, choosing plants for
the flowerbeds lets you play
more freely with colors and
textures.
The choices are almost
endless, and you can find many
selections that will be
attractive to hummingbirds,
butterflies, and other insects.
Grouping pants into blocks of
color and varying the heights
will be more pleasing to the eye
and get more attention from
wildlife.
Vines are important sources
of food and cover for wildlife.
The trumpet honeysuckle
(Lonicera semervirens) in our
habitat plan will attract
hummingbirds to its lovely
scarlet flowers, as will the cross
vine (Bignonia capreolata).
Vines can help to disguise an
unattractive fence, or you may
want to add some decorative
fencing or trellises for support.
Attractive Grasses
Ornamental and native
grasses are a versatile
addition to the garden. They
are low maintenance plants
and come in a variety of
heights, the plumed seedheads
add interest throughout
autumn and winter, and they
offer food and cover for wildlife.
In our plan, ornamental
grasses are shown surrounding
a fish pond. Water is necessary
for all wildlife, and a small pond
is a beautiful way to provide it.
There are kits available in all
shapes and sizes, or you can
make your own with a plastic
liner or garbage can lid sunk in
the soil. Water plants can be
added if the pond is deep
enough. A bird bath or fountain
is a decorative alternative.
Use Imagination
Additions to your garden are
limited only by your imagination
and your budget. Paths allow
access to all parts of the yard
without compacting the soil or
disturbing plants. They can be
made from many materials,
including brick, stepping
stones, crushed rock, or mulch.
Benches offer a chance to rest
and watch your wildlife visitors.
Bird nesting boxes and
feeders will attract many
feathered guests. Be sure that
the nesting boxes are built for
specific species, and several
feeders placed at different
heights will be the most
successful. Black oil sunflower
seed is the best overall food to
offer. There should be a tree or
shrub within 5' to 15' of a
nesting box or feeder to allow
escape from predators.
1/8 Acre Habitat Design
