Central Florida is becoming more populated than ever and increasing construction efforts are causing birds’ natural habitats to disappear at an alarming rate. By attracting birds to your yard, you will be helping them – and your garden – thrive.
Welcome feathered friends by adding indigenous plants to your landscape!
The best way to attract birds to your garden and keep them coming back year after year is to grow specimens that are native to your area. While there are several Florida-friendly non-native plant species that can provide birds with food, indigenous varieties are irresistible because they have the proper nutrition birds crave. The good news is, there are several varieties of native Central Florida plants you can grow that will provide birds with everything they need. The bad news is, you’re limited by the size of your property.
The following indigenous plants are enticing to Central Florida birds because they produce the seeds, berries, fruits, and nectar they require. Additionally, they provide ideal nesting resources and offer shelter from nasty weather and predators.
Flowers – Pine-hyacinth, Blanket-flower, Gaillardia, Indian Blanket, Scarlet Sage, Tropical Sage, and Blood Sage.
Vines – Yellow Jessamine, Carolina Jessamine, and Coral Honeysuckle (a Hummingbird favorite!).
Grasses – Elliott’s Lovegrass, Purple Lovegrass, Florida Gama Grass, Fakahatchee Grass, and Muhly Grass.
Shrubs – False Indigo-bush, Bastard-indigo, Sweet Pepperbush, Walter’s Viburnum, Florida Privet, Firebush, Elderberry, American Elder, and Yellow Necklacepod.
Palms – Needle Palm, Scrub Palmetto, Bluestem Palm, Cabbage Palm, and Saw Palmetto.
Trees – Redbud, Live Oak, Bald Cypress, Slash Pine, Buttonbush, Persimmon, Hornbeam, Loblolly Bay, Red Maple, Rusty Blackhaw, Sycamore, and Flowering Dogwood.
Speaking of trees, if there are any in your yard that have died or fallen, leave them be, so they will attract the birds who like to nest in old wood and feast on the insects found inside. Also, don’t forget to nail some bird houses to your living trees to encourage your feathered friends to start a family.
No matter what you plant for your feathered friends, remember that all greenery needs the proper amount of water to thrive. Considering this fact, it’s good practice to monitor your irrigation system on a regular basis to make sure it’s turning on and shutting off in accordance with the settings. If you’re not sure your system is running like it should, call us or complete our request service form and we’ll happily take a look.
Speaking of water, don’t forget to add a bird bath, fountain, or small pond to your garden. Not only will this give birds a way to hydrate and cool off, but the water will attract the bugs they like to munch on.
Birds will thank you by happily tending to your garden!
When a gardener is focused on creating a natural wildlife habitat by planting native species, everybirdy wins! Birds will reward gardeners by tilling the soil with their beaks as they’re hunting for earthworms and other insects. As they’re doing this, they’re enriching the soil by aerating it, which encourages healthier plant growth. Meanwhile, hummingbirds and other nectar sippers are efficient pollinators, so your flowering specimens will become much more robust. Last, but not least, birds will demonstrate their gratitude by providing free fertilizer every time they release their droppings into the garden.
We hope your garden brings you and your feathered friends many years of enjoyment, and remember, if you ever need assistance with sprinkler repair or irrigation in the Orlando area, give us a call!