Nothing beats native vegetation in a natural setting when feeding birds. When you garden for birds you provide natural food that will attract the greatest variety of songbirds in your area. These birds will recognize their favorite plants & frequent your garden from fall until the seed is gone. During spring and summer deadhead flowers to promote repeat blooms and sturdy stems. Once fall arrives leave old blooms in place. As the seed matures birds will begin enjoying the feast. The seed heads of many perennials attract chickadees, grosbeaks, juncos, sparrows, and tufted titmouse. The black seed of purple coneflower is a goldfinch favorite.
Here are some of the best choices of seed producing plants:
- Aster
- Boltonia
- Chrysanthemum
- Coreopsis
- Echinacea
- Echinops
- Gaillardia
- Liatris
- Papaver
- Penstemon
- Rudbeckia
- Salvia
- Solidago
Best choice for native grasses include:
- Big Bluestem
- Little Bluestem
- June grass
- Switchgrass
