Johnson's Garden Centers Text File document - copyright 2007 
PDF file available at http://www.johnsonsgarden.com/advice.html#birds_butterflies

Landscaping for Wildlife 

    Many people think of providing food and water to backyard birds
during the winter months, but it is something to be aware of year-round
if you enjoy the activity provided by birds, squirrels and other
wildlife.

    Spring is one of the leanest times of the year for natural food
sources. Insect activity is still sparse, and the seeds and fruits from
fall are long gone--just at the very time when birds and other wildlife
need more food than ever to support migration, courting, mating and
raising their young. The gardener with stocked bird feeders and
dependable water sources for bathing and drinking will see birds he
never dreamed he'd see in his garden.

    In addition to seeds and water, your landscaping plant choices can
transform your yard into a dependable and comfortable wildlife habitat
not only for birds and squirrels, but for butterflies, toads,
dragonflies, even bats. Wildlife gardening is becoming more popular
because most gardeners already have an excellent beginning for a
wildlife habitat and, too, the typical wildlife garden means much less
work for the gardener!

Here are the four simple basics of wildlife landscaping: 
1. Food: Select plants for summer fruits, fall fruits and seeds, and
supplement them with feeders to bring the birds and their young up
close.

2. Water: Choose a bird bath of the proper depth for bathing or add
"moving water" such as a fountain or waterfall with shallow areas for
bathing and drinking.
    
3. Shelter: Provide plants or structures for protection from both
predators and weather.

4. Nesting Sites: This includes deadwood on trees, an overgrown area
or thicket, and man-made houses for birds, insects or small mammals.

    Next, you should know that wildlife gardening isn't just about
plants. How you garden is a key factor. Allowing some of your annuals
and perennials to go to seed in the late summer means less work
deadheading those plants. In some chosen perimeter areas, let the weeds
grow and you'll be rewarded with more butterflies, fireflies and
ladybugs; and in proximity to a pond, dragonflies and toads. Learn how
to control disease and pests in the garden with a minimum of pesticides
and herbicides, and remember that the very birds and beneficial insects
you attract will actually reduce your need for pesticides entirely!
Gardening with nature in mind also requires less water and less
fertilizing.

    At Johnson's, we have the plants and expertise to help you establish
a wildlife habitat that requires less work while you enjoy all the
activity within it. We can help you start from scratch or change over
part or all of an existing garden to a wildlife habitat. The information
below indicates some of the trees, shrubs, vines and perennials that are
attractive birds, butterflies and hummingbirds. While most trees and
shrubs are attractive to wildlife, this list indicates which plants
provide a food source.

BIRDS 
Shrubs for Birds--Barberry, Chokeberry, Cistina Plum, Cotoneaster,
Dogwood, Euonymus (varieties), European Elder, Holly, Honeysuckle,
Mahonia, Pyracantha, Quince, Serviceberry, Sumac, Viburnum

Vines & Ground Covers for Birds--American Bittersweet, Bearberry,
Kiwi, Trumpet Vine

Trees for Birds--Birch, Black Locust, Cherry (varieties),
Chokecherry, Crabapple, Hackberry, Hawthorn, Linden (varieties), Oak,
Serviceberry

Evergreens for Birds--Cedar, Juniper (varieties), Pine (varieties),
Spruce (varieties), White Fir, Yew (varieties)

 
BUTTERFLIES 
Shrubs for Butterflies--Abelia, Althea, Butterfly Bush, Caryopteris,
Chastetree, Cistena Plum, Clethra, Dogwood (varieties), Jacqueline
Hillier Elm, Hypericum, Lilac, Mockorange, Potentilla, Privet, Pussy
Willow, Quince (varieties), Scotch Broom, Spirea, Sumac (varieties),
Weigela, Willow

Vines for Butterflies--Honeysuckle, Ornamental Hops

Trees for Butterflies--Birch (varieties), Cherry (varieties),
Chokecherry, Elm, Hackberry, Hawthorn, Lilac Tree, Linden, Oak
(varieties), Plum, Redbud (varieties), Tulip Tree, Willow

Perennials for Butterflies--Achillea, Agastache, Aquilegia,
Asclepias, Aster, Centranthus, Chrysanthemum, Coreopsis, Dianthus,
Echinacea, Gaillardia, Geranium, Helenium, Hemerocallis, Heuchera,
Hosta, Lamium, Leucanthemum, Lobelia, Penstemon, Rudbeckia, Salvia,
Scabiosa, Sedum, Tall Phlox, Veronica

 
HUMMINGBIRDS 
Shrubs for Hummingbirds--Abelia (varieties), Althea, Butterfly Bush, 
Caryopteris (varieties), Chastetree (varieties), Clethra 

Vines for Hummingbirds--Honeysuckle 

Trees for Hummingbirds--Mimosa 

Perennials for Hummingbirds--Agastache, Alcea, Aquilegia, Hemerocallis, 
Heuchera, Hibiscus, Hosta, Lobelia, Penstemon