Bushes and Arboreal Species Ideal for Attracting Aviary Visitors
In the Highlands of Scotland, the Rowan tree (Sorbus acuparia) is not only native but also cherished for its beauty. This versatile tree keeps out witches and evil spirits while its berries serve as a vital food source for blackbirds, mistle thrushes, redstarts, redwings, song thrushes, fieldfare, and waxwing.
As we delve into the world of bird-friendly gardening, a variety of berry-bearing plants emerge as popular choices for both their aesthetic appeal and ecological benefits. Here are some of the top picks:
1. Serviceberry (Amelanchier spp.): This small tree or shrub boasts white flowers and edible berries that attract robins, thrushes, and waxwings.
2. Holly (Ilex aquifolium): An evergreen shrub, holly's bright red berries persist into winter, providing food for robins, bluebirds, and cedar waxwings during the cold months.
3. Mulberry (Morus nigra): Known for its sweet purple fruits, this deciduous tree is a favourite among cardinals, grosbeaks, and robins.
4. Crabapple (Malus domestica): With colorful blossoms and tart apples, this small tree attracts warblers, jays, and chickadees.
5. Elderberries: Fruit-bearing shrubs that attract thrushes, robins, and waxwings.
6. Native Dogwoods: Shrubs with berries that attract thrushes, robins, and waxwings.
7. Raspberries (various varieties such as Heritage, Bristol, Royalty, Fallgold): Brambles producing flavorful berries in a range of colours; easy to grow and bird-attractive.
8. Blueberries: Popular berry shrubs that attract numerous bird species.
These plants provide crucial, nutrient-rich food sources through their berries, attracting a wide array of bird species to gardens, supporting wildlife, and helping bird watchers enjoy more visits from feathered friends.
For garden planting, selecting a mix of these berry-producing plants can ensure food availability through different seasons, especially winter, when berries like holly’s persist to feed birds. Additionally, raspberries and serviceberries are excellent choices for gardeners seeking both beautiful plants and ecological benefits.
In addition to these favourites, other berry-bearing plants worth mentioning include the Sorbus aria (Whitebeam), Cotoneaster frigidus (Cotoneaster), Sambucus racemosa (Red-berried elder), Pyracantha coccinea (Pyracantha), Lonicera (Honeysuckle), and Berberis vulgaris (Barberry). These plants offer a range of benefits, from providing homes for moths to attracting various bird species.
Remember, choosing trees and shrubs with birds in mind not only enhances your garden's beauty but also contributes to the local ecosystem and bird population. Happy gardening!
[1] RSPB. (2021). The best berry-bearing plants for wildlife. Retrieved from https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/advice/gardening-for-wildlife/plants-for-wildlife/berries/
[2] Garden Myths. (2021). Best berry producing plants for birds. Retrieved from https://www.gardenmyths.com/best-berry-producing-plants-for-birds/
[4] The Guardian. (2015). The best berry-producing plants for birds. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/nov/26/best-berry-producing-plants-for-birds
[5] BBC. (2019). The best berry-producing plants for birds. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-norfolk-48588762
- Incorporating a selection of these berry-producing plants into one's garden not only enhances the landscape but also supports local wildlife and bird populations.
- Beyond serviceberries and raspberries, other berry-bearing plants such as Whitebeam, Cotoneaster, Red-berried elder, Pyracantha, Honeysuckle, and Barberry, offer homes for moths and attract various bird species.
- The Rowan tree, native to Scotland's Highlands, is an example of cherished trees that serve both aesthetic and ecological purposes, offering protection from evil spirits and a food source for multiple bird species.
- A balanced lifestyle that values nature and the environment can be achieved by fostering bird-friendly gardens, incorporating fashion-and-beauty trends that promote sustainability, and making mindful choices in food-and-drink consumption, home-and-garden essentials, relationships, pet care, travel, cars, and aspects of education-and-self-development.
- When planning for shopping excursions, it's essential to consider the environmental impact of purchases, selecting products that are eco-friendly and support local conservation efforts.
- In the realm of sports, one can contribute to preserving biodiversity by supporting organizations that work to conserve and protect wildlife habitats, such as the Rowan tree's native landscape in Scotland's Highlands.
- As seasons change, the variety of berry-bearing plants available in gardens evolves, ensuring that birds have a continuous source of food and nutrients throughout the year.
- Engaging in bird watching becomes more rewarding as one cultivates a garden that not only nourishes birds but also thrives in harmonious blend with one's lifestyle, home, and values.
