Nature's bird feeders!
There is nothing like a soft blanket of snow to show you what's really standing out in your garden at this time of year. Which of your perennials are feeding birds on these wintry days? It's a pertinent question if your aim is to support wildlife in your garden.
During a recent podcast with Margaret Roach, famed birder and field guide author David Sibley opined the real value of having a bird feeder in winter is the connection it creates between humans and nature. He said studies have shown bird feeders don't necessarily increase bird survival rate during winter with the exception of during an ice event. He did say bird feeders are great for raising awareness about birds and what they need. A few years back, as our garden matured, I removed my bird feeders when scientists started urging homeowners to clean and wash bird feeders at least weekly to prevent the spread of disease. Despite my very best intentions, I did not get to it every single week and did not want to inadvertently harm birds. If you'd like to listen to David Sibley's discussion with Margaret Roach, it is here.
I still see songbirds and woodpeckers during the winter even though I no longer have the bird feeders. The biggest change is I do not see the parade of birds at a feeder; it's more happenstance. I do see birds on the seed heads of perennials and would like to plant more of the perennials they seem to like (or at least that I see them eating). To make the cut, these perennials have to provide seeds well into winter and be sturdy enough to stand up after a good snow. The standing up is not for the birds; it's for me. The birds will find seeds whether the plant is upright or sideways! I'm interested in adding more winter interest to various parts of my small garden. Here are a few perennials that reliably stand tall in my winter garden.
Asters
Asters (Symphyotrichum) clump more than stand tall. Most still stand up to snow though. Asters, a keystone species, flower profusely through fall. There are a bunch of reasons to plant as many asters as you can. All of the late fall color is just one. These fluffy little seed heads are another.
Coneflowers
Aficionados will point out coneflowers (Echinacea pururea) are not native to the Chesapeake; rather they are more of a prairie style plant native a bit further west. While true, I add as many as I can to my garden not only for the flowers but as you likely know, the goldfinches love the seeds. Coneflowers are also superb for winter interest. The seed heads always end up looking like little beanie hats in the snow.
Goldenrod
Goldenrods (Solidago), another keystone perrenial, provide oodles of seeds. They aren't quite as upright as coneflowers, but when planted in a mass they tend to hold each other up.
Mountain Mint
Mountain mint (Pycanthemum muticum) is another stand tall type perennial flower. The seed heads look pretty much the same as they do in summer but for the change from a minty green to taupe.
All of these perennials have a couple of things in common. All are easy to grow, grow best in full sun but can tolerate part shade, can grow in clay soils, are readily available and are fairly drought tolerant. Looking at these flowers more closely and seeing how many seed heads are in these little flowers really shows you why it's is a super idea to leave these perennials standing over winter and to add as many as you can to your garden. If you are looking to add or expand a winter buffet for birds in your garden, these are excellent choices. Do you have other perennials you really like to grow for birds in winter? Please do share!
Happy Gardening.
Junco’s are really enjoying swamp sunflower seed heads after the recent winter snow.
How about Tickseed?