gardening for birds

At Bosky Dell Natives, you will find many native plants which provide food and shelter for birds. Use the plant tables below to help you decide what additions would be best for your garden, and HAPPY BIRDING!

BIRD FAVORITES AT BOSKY DELL
click on a plant to view its description
Evergreen Huckleberry	Red Osier Dogwood	Shore Pine	Western Columbine	Madrone	Blue Elderberry

**Our Natives and their Birds**
Food Sources · Birdswholovethem (s=seeds, n=nectar, f=fruit, i=insects, fl=flowers)	Nesting/Shelter
Trees Conifers Abies species (Noble Fir, Grand Fir, Subalpine Fir) · pine siskin, chickadees, nuthatches, grosbeaks, finches, crossbills, and grouse (s) · woodpeckers, sapsuckers (i) Calocedrus decurrens (Incense cedar) · chipping sparrows, hermit thrushes, siskins, flickers, and nuthatches (s) · sapsuckers, woodpeckers (i) Pinus species (Shore Pine, Lodgepole Pine) · grouse, crossbills, grosbeaks, chickadees, band-tailed pidgeons, quail, mourning doves, jays, nuthatches, finches, siskins (s) · bushtits, kinglets, chickadees, and woodpeckers (i) Pseudotsuga mensies (Douglas fir) · grouse, crossbills, siskins (s) · chickadees, nuthatches, brown creepers, and woodpeckers (i) Taxus brevifolia (Western Yew) · numerous (s) Thuja Plicata (Western Red Cedar) · grosbeaks, sparrows, waxwings, nuthatches, and siskins (s) Tsuga species (Western Hemlock, Mountain Hemlock) · juncos, siskins, chickadees, grouse, finches, crossbills (s) · Pileated woodpeckers (ants on Western Hemlock snags) Broadleaf Evergreens Arbutus menziesii (Madrone) · quail, band-tailed pidgeons,flickers, varied thrushes, waxwings, evening grosbeaks, mourning doves and robins (f) Deciduous Acer circinatum (Vine Maple) · grosbeaks. woodpeckers, nutchatches, finches, quail, and grouse (s) Acer macrophyllum (Big Leaf Maple) · sapsuckers, woodpeckers, nuthatches, song sparrows, (i) Alnus rubra (red alder) · mallards, widgeons, grouse, bushtits, kinglets, siskins, vireos, warblers, and chickadees (s,i) Cornus nuttallii (Pacific dogwood) · sapsuckers, woodpeckers, bluebirds, tree swallows, vireos, thrushes, evening grosbeaks, white-crowned sparrows, song sparrows, towhees, grouse, jays, and house finches (f) Crataegus douglasii (Black hawthorn) · solitaires, robins, waxwings, grosbeaks, thrushes, woodpeckers, band-tailed pigeons, wood ducks, grouse, pheasants, and !turkeys! (f) Malus fusca (Western Crabapple) · grouse, geese, pheasants, sapsuckers, woodpeckers, jays, robins, waxwings, orioles, towhees (f) · finches, sparrows, waxwings (fl) · hummingbirds (n) NOTE:Birds will not eat the fruit of many hybrids - plant native if you want to feed our feathered friends! Prunus emarginata var.mollis (Bittercherry) · grouse, band-tailed pigeons, flickers, jays, rohins, bluebirs, waxwings, tanaagers, orioles, grosbeaks, finches, mourning doves, and towhees(f) Quercus garryana (Oregon White Oak) · wood ducks, mallards, turkeys, band-tailed pigeons, quails, grouse, woodpeckers, nuthatches, thrushes, towhees, jays, and Clark's nutcrackers (acorns) Rhamnus purshiana (cascara) · gamebirds, songbirds (f) Salix species (willow) · Blue grouse and songbirds (buds) Shrubs&Groundcovers Evergreen Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (Kinnikinnik) · band-tailed pigeons, evening grosbeaks, sparrows Cornus canadensis (Bunchberry) · sparrows, thrushes, vireos, grouse, pheasants Fragaria chiloensis, virginiana, vesca (Coastal Strawberry, Wild or Mountain Strawberry, Wood's strawberry) · robins, towhees, pine grosbeaks, grouse, waxwings Mahonia species · grouse, waxwings, thrushes, towhees, pheasants (f) Myrica californica · quail, waxwings, songbirds (f) Vaccinium species (Huckleberry) · pheasants, mourning doves, flickers, jays, robins, waxwings, orioles, tanagers, towhees, sparrows, and chickadees(f) · numerous (i) Deciduous Amelanchier alnifolia (Serviceberry) · woodpeckers, crows, chickadees, thrushes, towhees, bluebirds, waxwings, orioles, tanagers, grosbeaks, goldfinches, juncos, grouse, pheasants Cornus stolinifera (Red Osier Dogwood) · vireos, warblers, robins, flickers, flycatchers, wood ducks, grouse, band-tailed pigeons, quail (f) Holodiscus Discolor (Oceanspray) · chickadees, bushtits, (i) Lonicera involucrata (Twinberry) · grouse, grosbeaks, juncos, waxwings, thrushes, flickers, finches, and quail (f) · hummingbirds (n) Philadelphus lewisii (Mock Orange) · grosbeaks, juncos, thrushes, bluebirds, chickadees, flickers, finches, quail, grouse (s) Prunus emarinata var.emarginata (Bittercherry) · grouse, band=tailed pigeons, flickers, jays, robins, waxwings, tanagers, orioles, and mourning doves Prunus virginiana (Chokechery> · woodpeckers, pheasants, grouse, jays, robins, thrushes, waxwings, vireos, orioles, and grosbeaks(f) Rosa spp. (Baldhip, Nootka, Clustered, and Wood's Rose) · grouse, bluebirds, juncos, grosbeaks, quail, pheasants, thrushes (f) Rubus spp. (salmonberry, thimbleberry) · chickadees, grosbeaks, jays, band-tailed pigeons, robins, sparrows, tanagers, towhees, waxwings, woodpeckers, wrens (f) · hummingbirds (n) Sambucus species (Red and Blue Elderberry) · sparrows, thrushes, warblers, orioles, bluebirds, jays, tanagers, grosbeaks, sapsuckers, woodpeckers, and band-taied pigions (f) · hummingbirds (n) Sorbus sitchensis (Sitka mountain-ash) · grouse, thrushes, waxwings, orioles, grosbeaks, robins, finches (f) Symphoricarpos albus (Snowberry) · grosbeaks, waxwings, robins, thrushes, towhees (f) · hummingbirds (n) Vines Lonicera ciliosa/hispidula (Trumpet honeysuckle/Hairy honeysuckle) · grouse, pheasants, flickers, robins, thrushes, bluebirds, waxwings, grosbeaks, finches, and juncos (f) · hummingbirds (n) Grasses and Forbs Aquilegia formosa (Western Columbine) · sparrows, juncos, finches (s) · hummingbirds (n) Aruncus sylvester (Goat's beard) · hummingbirds (n) Dicentra formosa (Pacific Bleeding Heart) · hummingbirds (n) Epilobium angustifolium (Fireweed) · hummingbirds (n) Heuchera spp. (Alumroot) · hummingbirds (n) Lupinus spp. (Lupine) · songbirds (s) · hummingbirds (n) Penstemon spp. (Penstemon) · hummingbirds (n)	Trees golden-crowned sparrow on incense cedar ©Ellen Mast 2003 Abies species (Noble Fir, Grand Fir, Subalpine Fir) Acer macrophyllum (Big Leaf Maple) Alnus rubra (red alder) Calocedrus decurrens (Incense cedar) Chamaecyparis lawsoniana (Port Orford cedar) Crataegus douglasii (Black hawthorn)(good escape cover for songbirds) Pinus species (Shore Pine, Lodgepole Pine) Prunus emarginata (Bittercherry) Thuja Plicata (Western Red Cedar) Tsuga species (Western Hemlock, Mountain Hemlock) Shrubs/Groundcovers Kinnikinnik ©Ellen Mast 2003 Arctostaphylos (Manzanita, Kinnikinnik) Cornus canadensis (Bunchberry) Corylus cornuta var.californica (Hazelnut) Holodiscus discolor (Oceanspray) Mahonia species (Oregon Grape) Mahonia nervosa ©Ellen Mast 2003 Myrica californica (Pacific Wax Myrtle) Prunus virginiana (Chokecherry) Rhododendron macrophyllum (Pacific Rhododendron) Rhododencron occidentale (Western Azalea) Rosa spp. (Baldhiip, Nootka, Clustered, and Wood's Rose) Rubus species (Salmonberry, Thimbleberry) Thimbleberry ©Lory Duralia Spiraea douglasii (Hardhack) Symphoricarpos albus (Snowberry) Snowberry ©Ellen Mast 2003 Vines Lonicera ciliosa/hispidula (Trumpet honeysuckle/Hairy honeysuckle) · twining vine provides nesting sites for small birds Grasses and Forbs Maidenhair Fern ©Ellen Mast 2003 Adiantum pedatum (Maidenhair Fern) Athyrium filix-femina (Lady Fern) Deschampsia caespitosa (Tufted Hairgrass) Festuca idahoensis (Idaho Fescue) Polygonum paronychia (Beach Knotweed) Polystichum munitum (Sword Fern) Viola spp. (Streambank Violet, Evergreen Violet, Early Blue Violet) Viola glabella, Streambank Violet ©Lory Duralia

Plant A Hedgerow*

Hedgerows combine DIFFERENT plants, interwoven in a more natural arrangement than formal hedges, to create the effect of a hedge, provide cover and nesting sites AND food for wildlife, and beauty, all in one marvelous package! Here's the scoop:

Benefits of hedgerows

Cover and nesting sites for birds and other wildlife
Food for (as above): Variety of plants serve wildlife needs throughout the year
Mosaic of color and texture for your garden
More natural arrangement requires less intensive management than a formal hedge (and saves you gasoline and loud noise pollution)

Plants for Hedgerows in the Pacific Northwest

Trees

Abies lasiocarpa, Subalpine Fir
Acer circinatum, Vine Maple
Crataegus douglassii, Black Hawthorn
Malus fusca, Western Crabapple
Pinus contorta, Shore Pine
Prunus emarginata, Bitter cherry
Salix spp., Willow
Tsuga mertensiana, Mountain Hemlock
Rhamnus purshiana, Cascara
Shrubs
Amelanchior alnifolia, Serviceberry
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, Kinnikinnik
Ceanothus spp., Wild Lilac, Buckbrush, Deer Brush
Cornus stolinifera, Red Osier Dogwood
Corylus cornuta, Hazel
Gaultheria shallon, Salal
Holodiscus discolor, Oceanspray
Mahonia species, Oregon grape
Myrica californica, Pacific Wax Myrtle
Prunus virginiana, Chokecherry
Ribes sanguineum, Red-flowering Currant
Rosa spp., Baldhip, Nootka, Clustered and Wood's Rose
Sambucus cerulea, S. racemosa, Blue and Red Elderberry
Sorbus sitchensis, Sitka Mountain-ash
Symphoricarpos albus, mollis, Common, Creeping Snowberry
Vaccinium ovatum, parvifolium, Red and Evergreen Huckleberry
Viburnum trilobum, High Bush Cranberry
Vines
Lonicera ciliosa, Orange Honeysuckle, Trumpet Vine
Lonicera hispidula, Chaparral Honeysuckle
Grasses and Forbs
Aquilegia formosa, Western Columbine
Asclepias speciosa, Showy Milkweed
Aster spp., Aster
Athyrium filix-femina, Lady Fern
Clarkia spp., Farewell to Spring, Purple Clarkia
Deschampsia caespitosa, Tufted Hairgrass
Festuca idahoensis, Idaho Fescue
Fragaria spp., Coastal, Woods, Wild Strawberry
Lupinus rivularis, Stream-Bank Lupine
Polystichum munitum, Sword Fern
Viola spp., Evergreen, Streambank, Early Blue Violets

Planting Guidelines

Choose plants that will thrive in the conditions of soil, moisture, and sun exposure of your site.
Plant taller evergreen and deciduous trees and shrubs toward the back, if viewed from one side.
Combine fast and slow growers for immediate effect, food and shelter, and for lasting bounty: Huckleberry grows slowly, Spiraea quickly, and Elderberry will fruit and nectar soon.
Use a variety of plants to provide food and shelter at all times of year. Combine evergreens and deciduous plants for a more beautiful arrangement, and to provide fruit, seeds, and shelter for wildlife.
Plant thorny plants and suckering plants - your hedgerow will become dense and provide protection and shelter for wildlife: Black Hawthorn, Rosa species, Oregon grape, Snowberry.
If you are planting in a small space, limit the number of plants that get large or sucker aggressively, and allow those plants plenty of room.
Intermix your hedgerow plants so they can "spread their wings", yet create the sheltering effect of a thicket.
Create two or three rows of plantings spaced to provide for the needs of each plant and alternating between food sources, shelter, and seasonal interest.
Butterfly plants should be planted on the south or west side of the hedgerow, where warmth and protection from wind is greatest.
Remember, diversity is the key to success in attracting wildlife, and there are many ways to create a hedgerow - use your imagination and let nature do the rest!

*Resources used for this section include Landscaping for Wildlife by Russell Link (1999, Washington Dept. of Fish and Wildlife) and (especially for inspiration) Noah's Garden by Sara Stein (1993, Houghton Mifflin Co., New York)

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Bird Websites

Bird Books

The Backyard Bird Feeder's Bible. Roth, Sally, Rodale Inc., St. Martin's Press, 2000
Landscaping for Wildlife in the Pacific Northwest. Link, Russell, Washington Dept. of Fish and Wildlife, University of Washington Press, 1999
The Sibley Buide to Birds. Sibley, David, National Audubon Society, Alfted A. Knopf, New York, 2000, (North American bird identification).
The Sibley Guide to Bird Life and Behavior. Sibley, David, National Audubon Society, Alfred A. Knopf, New York, 2000, (companion to above, with extensive guide to behavior, how birds live and what they do).
Noah's Garden. Stein, Sara, Houghton Mifflin Co., New York, 1993.
The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Birds, Western Region. Alfred A. Knopf, Inc., New York.

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Red Flowering Currant

Ribes sanguineum, or red-flowering currant, provides an excellent example of a shrub every hedgerow should have: The berries, which ripen in the summer, are eaten by robins, towhees, thrushes, waxwings, sparrows, jays and woodpeckers. The striking red pendant flower clusters bloom in early spring, and provide nectar for hummingbirds and butterflies, and the foliage is eaten by some butterfly larvae. The deciduous leaves turn lovely shades of red and orange in the fall. The only time this shrub isn't doing anything obviously spectacular is in winter, when you can wait in anticipation of its early spring glory!

Pacific Treefrog

Hedgerows provide habitat for all sorts of wildlife, including this amphibian (above), who spends part of her time in water, and part on land. The shelter of a generously planted hedgerow is just what this adult treefrog needs during the non-breeding season. It provides protection during dry spells and long daylight hours, and the treefrog can emerge safely at night. Treefrogs lay eggs in aquatic environments like ponds and even small puddles. You may hear their chorusing in early spring, when males call to attract females.

Create a backyard sanctuary for your feathered friends

Trees

Conifers

Broadleaf Evergreens

Deciduous

Shrubs&Groundcovers

Evergreen

Deciduous

Vines

Grasses and Forbs

Trees

Shrubs/Groundcovers

Vines

Grasses and Forbs

Plant A Hedgerow*

Benefits of hedgerows

Plants for Hedgerows in the Pacific Northwest

Trees

Shrubs

Vines

Grasses and Forbs

Planting Guidelines

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Bird Websites

Bird Books

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Create a backyard sanctuary
for your feathered friends