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Contents
Introduction
I love to see birds and butterflies in my garden. They’re a sign of life, and they bring a little magic to the backyard. And if you’re like me, you want to attract these winged creatures as much as possible—and there are plenty of shrubs that can help with that! Here’s my list of top five shrubs that attract birds:
Chicory
Chicory is a perennial that grows in full sun to partial shade and is drought tolerant, deer resistant and easy to grow. It’s also a host plant for the caterpillars of the spicebush swallowtail butterfly. In addition to attracting birds, chicory will provide you with edible greens when it goes to seed.
Chicory is an annual weed that can be found growing in gardens throughout North America–particularly in areas where there are many lawns (and hence fertilizers).
Joe Pye Weed
If you’re looking for a perennial that will attract butterflies, bees and hummingbirds to your garden, look no further than Joe Pye weed (Eupatorium purpureum). This native plant has red flowers that bloom in summer and grow to be 3 feet tall. It can also grow up to 3 feet wide if given enough space.
Joe Pye weed is easy to care for–it needs full sun or partial shade, moist soil but not soggy ground, and some fertilizer every year or so (just make sure it’s not high in nitrogen).
Milkweed
Milkweed is a perennial, native plant that attracts butterflies and bees to your garden. Milkweed is also one of the best plants for attracting monarch butterflies. Monarch caterpillars feed exclusively on milkweeds and they will only pupate on them as well.
If you’re looking for a butterfly magnet, look no further than this versatile plant! Milkweed has lacy leaves in shades of green or white with pink flowers that bloom in early summer through fall (depending on where you live). It grows best in full sun but will tolerate partial shade as long as it’s not shaded every day.
Milkweed attracts bees because it produces nectar that attracts both honeybees and bumblebees. To ensure maximum pollination success, make sure to include several different kinds of flower colors in your garden — including blue ones like lavender or purple petunias — so there’s always something blooming when pollinators are around!
Rose of Sharon
Rose of Sharon is a fragrant, deciduous shrub that blooms in late summer and autumn. It’s a favorite of hummingbirds and butterflies alike. This shrub can grow up to 15 feet tall with an equal width, making it ideal for large spaces or hedges. Rose of Sharon can be grown in many climates and requires little maintenance once established–the perfect combination!
Coreopsis
Coreopsis is a perennial flowering plant that attracts butterflies. It can be grown in full sun or partial shade and makes an excellent choice for butterfly gardens. Coreopsis has a long blooming period from late spring to fall, providing food for long-tongued butterflies such as swallowtails and fritillaries.
Native to North America, coreopsis grows well in any soil type but prefers sandy loam with good drainage and adequate moisture year-round. It does not tolerate standing water or drought conditions very well; therefore, you will need to pay special attention when planting it near pools or ponds–to ensure that they don’t dry out!
Japanese Anemone
The Japanese anemone (Anemone japonica) is a perennial shrub that grows up to 6 feet tall. It’s one of the best plants for attracting butterflies, hummingbirds, and bees. The flowers bloom from spring through summer and come in shades of pink. They’re native to Asia and North America–and they can grow in most climates as long as you live in USDA zones 5-9!
Butterfly Bush
Butterfly bush (Buddleia) is an excellent shrub to plant if you want to attract butterflies and other pollinators. It grows in zones 4-8, and has purple and white flowers that bloom from June until October. Butterfly bush is a perennial that can reach up to 3 feet tall, so it can be planted near the front of your garden or along a fenceline where it will be visible from afar.
There are plenty of shrubs that can attract birds and butterflies to your garden.
When choosing plants, it’s best to select those that are native to your area. This will help ensure they will thrive in your climate without requiring additional care or maintenance.
- American Holly (Ilex opaca)
- Chinese Holly (Ilex cornuta)
- Common Privet (Ligustrum vulgare)
Conclusion
There are plenty of shrubs that can attract birds and butterflies to your garden. If you’re looking for something that will provide food for the birds, try chicory or milkweed. If you want to attract butterflies, try Joe Pye weed or Japanese anemone. And if you want something beautiful with flowers that last all summer long, then rose of Sharon is perfect!
