15 Native Plants That Attract & Nourish Local Birds

Creating a bird-friendly garden is more than an aesthetic choice—it’s a powerful way to combat the loss of nearly 3 billion birds from North America since 1970. Native plants are critical, hosting the insects that many birds need to feed their young while also providing shelter and seeds.

Here are 15 native plants, from vibrant wildflowers to fruiting trees, that can transform your garden into a thriving bird sanctuary year-round. Each supports local ecosystems while enhancing the beauty of your outdoor space.

1. Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)

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Image Credit: Alex Manders/Shutterstock

The purple coneflower is a perennial favorite among gardeners and birds alike. This hardy plant features striking purple blooms that attract a multitude of pollinators during the summer months.

As fall approaches, the spent flowers transform into seed heads, providing a feast for goldfinches and other seed-eating birds.

Planting Guide:

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  • Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade.
  • Soil: Well-drained soil; tolerates poor soil conditions.
  • Watering: Water regularly until established; drought-tolerant once mature.
  • Spacing: Plant 12-18 inches apart to allow for growth.
  • Maintenance: Deadhead spent flowers to encourage more blooms, but leave some for seeds.

2. Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida)

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Image Credit: Vrabelpeter1/Deposit Photos

Renowned for its stunning spring blossoms, the flowering dogwood is a small tree that provides both beauty and sustenance for birds. Its bright red berries ripen in the fall, attracting cardinals, bluebirds, and other species looking for a nutritious snack.

Planting Guide:

  • Sunlight: Prefers partial shade but can tolerate full sun.
  • Soil: Well-drained, slightly acidic soil is ideal.
  • Watering: Keep soil consistently moist, especially in dry spells.
  • Spacing: Space trees 15-30 feet apart for optimal growth.
  • Maintenance: Prune in late winter to maintain shape and health.

3. American Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis)

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Image Credit: Delfinkina/Deposit Photos

This versatile shrub is a powerhouse for attracting birds with its clusters of white flowers in spring and dark berries in late summer. The elderberry’s fruits are particularly appealing to songbirds and other wildlife, making it an excellent addition to any bird-friendly garden.

Planting Guide:

  • Sunlight: Thrives in full sun to partial shade.
  • Soil: Prefers moist, well-drained soil; tolerates various soil types.
  • Watering: Regular watering is essential, especially during dry periods.
  • Spacing: Plant 6-10 feet apart to allow for growth.
  • Maintenance: Prune annually after fruiting to encourage new growth.

4. Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)

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Image Credit: gjohnstonphoto/Deposit Photos

With its cheerful yellow petals and dark centers, black-eyed Susan is a staple in many gardens. This perennial flower not only adds vibrant color but also produces seeds that attract finches and other birds during the fall and winter months.

Planting Guide:

  • Sunlight: Full sun is preferred for optimal blooming.
  • Soil: Well-drained soil; adaptable to various soil types.
  • Watering: Water regularly until established; drought-tolerant once mature.
  • Spacing: Space plants 12-18 inches apart.
  • Maintenance: Deadhead spent flowers to promote additional blooms.

5. Serviceberry (Amelanchier spp.)

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Image Credit: TasfotoNL/Shutterstock

Serviceberry trees are celebrated for their early spring blossoms and delicious berries that ripen in early summer. These nutrient-rich fruits are favored by many bird species, including robins and waxwings, making them an essential addition to any bird-friendly landscape.

Planting Guide:

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  • Sunlight: Prefers full sun but can tolerate partial shade.
  • Soil: Well-drained, loamy soil is ideal.
  • Watering: Regular watering is needed until established; tolerant of drought once mature.
  • Spacing: Space trees 15-20 feet apart for optimal growth.
  • Maintenance: Prune after flowering to maintain shape.

6. Coral Honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens)

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Image Credit: Jim Beers/Shutterstock

This native vine boasts beautiful tubular flowers that are irresistible to hummingbirds and other pollinators in spring and summer. In addition to its nectar-rich blooms, coral honeysuckle produces berries that attract various songbirds later in the season.

Planting Guide:

  • Sunlight: Thrives in full sun to partial shade.
  • Soil: Prefers well-drained soil but is adaptable.
  • Watering: Water regularly until established; drought-tolerant once mature.
  • Support: Provide trellises or fences for climbing support.
  • Maintenance: Prune back after flowering to control growth.

7. Red Mulberry (Morus rubra)

15 Native Plants That Attract & Nourish Local Birds - mulberry tree dp41244335
Image Credit: jukree/Deposit Photos

The red mulberry tree produces sweet, blackberry-like fruits that are highly sought after by birds such as orioles and bluebirds during the summer months. This tree not only provides food but also offers shelter with its dense foliage.

Planting Guide:

  • Sunlight: Prefers full sun but can tolerate partial shade.
  • Soil: Well-drained soil; adaptable to various conditions.
  • Watering: Regular watering is required until established; drought-tolerant once mature.
  • Spacing: Space trees 20-30 feet apart for optimal growth.
  • Maintenance: Minimal pruning is needed; remove dead or damaged branches.

8. Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa)

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Image Credit: douglasmack/Shutterstock

Known for its aromatic leaves and striking purple flowers, wild bergamot attracts a variety of pollinators and birds alike. The seeds produced after flowering are particularly favored by goldfinches, making this plant a dual-purpose addition to your garden.

Planting Guide:

  • Sunlight: Full sun is ideal for vibrant blooms.
  • Soil: Prefers well-drained soil; tolerant of poor conditions.
  • Watering: Water regularly until established; drought-tolerant once mature.
  • Spacing: Space plants 12-24 inches apart to allow for spreading.
  • Maintenance: Deadhead spent flowers to encourage new blooms.

9. Highbush Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum)

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Image Credit: shine.graphics/Shutterstock

Highbush blueberry is a delightful shrub that offers delicious berries not just for humans but also for birds. Its sweet, dark fruits ripen in mid-summer and are a favorite of many birds, including bluebirds and robins.

Additionally, the white flowers in spring attract pollinators, making it a valuable addition to any bird-friendly garden.

Planting Guide:

  • Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade.
  • Soil: Prefers acidic, well-drained soil.
  • Watering: Keep soil consistently moist, especially during fruiting.
  • Spacing: Space plants 4-5 feet apart for optimal growth.
  • Maintenance: Prune in late winter to encourage new growth and better fruit production.

10. Eastern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana)

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Image Credit: meunierd/Shutterstock

This evergreen tree provides year-round shelter and food for birds. The blue, berry-like cones of the Eastern red cedar are particularly attractive to cedar waxwings and other fruit-eating birds during the winter months.

Its dense foliage also offers excellent nesting sites.

Planting Guide:

  • Sunlight: Thrives in full sun.
  • Soil: Adaptable to various soil types; prefers well-drained soil.
  • Watering: Water regularly until established; drought-tolerant once mature.
  • Spacing: Space trees 10-15 feet apart for optimal growth.
  • Maintenance: Minimal pruning is needed; remove any dead branches as necessary.

11. Black Cherry (Prunus serotina)

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Image Credit: barmalini/Shutterstock

The black cherry tree is not only valued for its beautiful wood but also for its small, dark fruits that attract a variety of birds. During the summer, the tree’s flowers provide nectar for pollinators, while the ripe cherries in late summer and fall draw in songbirds like orioles and woodpeckers.

Planting Guide:

  • Sunlight: Prefers full sun to partial shade.
  • Soil: Well-drained soil; tolerates poor soil conditions.
  • Watering: Water regularly until established; drought-tolerant once mature.
  • Spacing: Space trees 20-30 feet apart for optimal growth.
  • Maintenance: Prune in late winter to maintain shape and health.

12. Beautyberry (Callicarpa americana)

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Image Credit: somsak nitimongkolchai/Shutterstock

Beautyberry is a deciduous shrub known for its striking clusters of purple berries that ripen in late summer and fall. These berries are highly attractive to many bird species, including mockingbirds and robins. The plant also provides cover for nesting birds.

Planting Guide:

  • Sunlight: Prefers full sun to partial shade.
  • Soil: Well-drained soil; tolerates poor conditions.
  • Watering: Regular watering is needed until established; drought-tolerant once mature.
  • Spacing: Space plants 3-5 feet apart to allow for spreading.
  • Maintenance: Prune back in late winter to encourage new growth.

13. Winterberry (Ilex verticillata)

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Image Credit: islavicek/Shutterstock

Winterberry is a deciduous holly that produces bright red berries that persist into winter, providing essential food for birds when other sources are scarce. Its dense growth habit offers excellent cover and nesting sites throughout the year.

Planting Guide:

  • Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade.
  • Soil: Prefers wet, acidic soils; tolerates poorly drained conditions.
  • Watering: Keep soil consistently moist, especially during dry spells.
  • Spacing: Space shrubs 4-6 feet apart for optimal growth.
  • Maintenance: Prune in late winter or early spring to maintain shape.

14. Pagoda Dogwood (Cornus alternifolia)

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Image Credit: Edita Medeina/Shutterstock

Pagoda dogwood is an elegant small tree or large shrub that features tiered branches and white flowers in spring. Its blue-black berries ripen in early fall, attracting various birds like thrushes and warblers while providing cover with its dense foliage.

Planting Guide:

  • Sunlight: Prefers partial shade but can tolerate full sun.
  • Soil: Well-drained, moist soil is ideal; prefers slightly acidic conditions.
  • Watering: Water regularly until established; keep the soil moist during dry spells.
  • Spacing: Space trees 15 feet apart for optimal growth.
  • Maintenance: Minimal pruning is needed; remove dead or damaged branches as necessary.

15. Black Gum (Nyssa sylvatica)

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Image Credit: Alex Manders/Shutterstock

Black gum is a majestic tree that provides excellent nesting sites and shelter for birds. Its small, dark fruits ripen in fall and are consumed by many bird species during migration.

The tree also supports various insects that serve as food sources for nesting birds.

Planting Guide:

  • Sunlight: Prefers full sun to partial shade.
  • Soil: Tolerates a range of soils but prefers moist, well-drained conditions.
  • Watering: Water regularly until established; drought-tolerant once mature.
  • Spacing: Space trees 30 feet apart for optimal growth.
  • Maintenance: Prune in late winter to maintain shape and health.

Cultivating a bird-friendly garden with native plants is a vital step in supporting avian populations and enhancing local biodiversity. By selecting a variety of native species, you can provide essential food, shelter, and nesting sites for birds throughout the year.

Source:

  1. Cornell University
davin
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Davin is a jack-of-all-trades but has professional training and experience in various home and garden subjects. He leans on other experts when needed and edits and fact-checks all articles.