Perhaps you’ve planted vegetable and herb gardens in the past, but this year, you want to cultivate a flower garden. By choosing the right flowers, you can attract birds to your yard! Here are a few varieties of flowers you should plant to make your garden a welcoming place for birds
Zinnias
Zinnias are known for attracting goldfinches and butterflies! These plants flower in a short time span because they are annuals, and they’re great for adding color to your garden. Plant zinnias at the beginning of summer so they will get plenty of sunlight. They should be pruned regularly and watered approximately three times per week.
Sunflowers
Sunflowers will undoubtedly attract local songbirds; however, deer and squirrels also like to snack on sunflower seeds, so make sure to fence in your garden just in case! Sunflowers take a while to fully bloom, and different types can be annuals or perennials. Sunflowers should be planted in direct sunlight at the end of springtime. You can collect the seeds to eat them yourself, too!
Echinacea
Echinacea, also known as coneflowers, draw in goldfinches with their delicious seeds and nectar. They are perennial flowers, so they will pop up again year after year. You can plant them in either the spring or fall – just take care to root them in a space that gets partial sun on a daily basis. You might want to start with transplants, as they can take a year to grow from seed.
Shasta Daisies
Shasta daisies are beautiful perennial flowers that need full sun to grow and thrive in the summertime. Goldfinches, pine siskins, and sparrows all flock to daisies when their big center cones go to seed. Plus, they can grow almost anywhere in the country, so no matter where you’re located, you can plant them in your garden!
It’s important to note that daisies grow extensive root systems, which can easily get tangled. Therefore, you’ll want to keep plenty of space between individual plants. It’s a good idea to plant them anywhere from 18 to 24 inches apart to leave adequate room for their roots.
Black-Eyed Susans
Black-eyed Susans can be planted in the spring or early fall. You can find either annual or perennial varieties at most garden shops depending on your preferences. Songbirds love to munch on their seeds, so even after you prune dead flowers away at the end of the season, leave a few just for the birds’ sake – they will stop by and eat the seeds!
You might be surprised by just how tall black-eyed Susans can grow. When you pick up seeds, take a moment to check the packets to see how tall your plants can be expected to get. If your black-eyed Susans will likely get taller than 2 feet high, you will need to stake them.
Getting Started
Starting a garden is a great way to add some color to your home – not to mention your neighborhood – while also giving you something positive on which to focus your time and energies. If you’re worried that you don’t have much of a green thumb, check out the plentiful resources online or even take a class to help you get started.
After a few seasons of cultivating a garden that successfully attracts local birds, you may want to offer your services to others with a landscaping business. You might advertise in your neighborhood, share beautiful photos of your garden on social media, or even create eye-catching graphics and materials to promote your garden workshops or business using online design tools. This can help you stand out and draw more attention to your offerings! Additionally, connect with local florists or garden shops to spread the word and teach workshops.
Planting flowers that attract birds can transform your yard for the better. You’ll have lots of fun figuring out which flowers bring in local bird species! If you’re not sure where to start, shasta daisies and zinnias are exceptionally easy to grow. With these tips, you’ll be able to create a sanctuary for birds in your own garden and could even start your own business.
Waleed Chaudhry, a dedicated author with a deep love for pets, finds inspiration in the company of his cherished birds. When he’s not crafting captivating stories, he’s immersed in the world of wildlife documentaries and thrilling Netflix series, fueling his passion for nature and suspenseful narratives.