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HELP! Best Perennials to attract the birds please (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Talon 1
- Start date
conceptbob
R&D Ornithologist
For starters...
The thistle family, indeed all the compositae will do. Also those that attract loads of insects (achillea, sedum etc.). Though not a perennial, lavender seed heads (lavundula angustifolia) are knoiwn to attract goldfinches.
The thistle family, indeed all the compositae will do. Also those that attract loads of insects (achillea, sedum etc.). Though not a perennial, lavender seed heads (lavundula angustifolia) are knoiwn to attract goldfinches.
steve_nova
Mr
Actea species (Baneberry) usually A. rubra with red berries or A. spicata with white, also good in shady places.
Ligularia clivorum good not so much for seeds but because it always gets "holed" by caterpillars which of course are great for young mouths.
Lupins for the large species of aphid that usually congregates in huge numbers on the flower spikes, great for those Blue Tit chicks.
Perennial grasses in the genus Panicum, seed good for birds. Try at least two different named forms of Panicum virgatum so that they will cross pollinate for good seed set.
Though Teasels (Dipsacum) are biennial, they will self-seed around and should really be concidered for any serious birder. Learn to recognise the seedlings of course!
Can't think of anything else for now but may get back on this.
Ligularia clivorum good not so much for seeds but because it always gets "holed" by caterpillars which of course are great for young mouths.
Lupins for the large species of aphid that usually congregates in huge numbers on the flower spikes, great for those Blue Tit chicks.
Perennial grasses in the genus Panicum, seed good for birds. Try at least two different named forms of Panicum virgatum so that they will cross pollinate for good seed set.
Though Teasels (Dipsacum) are biennial, they will self-seed around and should really be concidered for any serious birder. Learn to recognise the seedlings of course!
Can't think of anything else for now but may get back on this.
Red valerian and Aquilegias have had birds crawling all over them in the last few weeks, I guess looking for insects for young in the nest. I would agree with what others have written above, but also, any good herbaceous border is going to be alive with insects early in the summer, and then if you don't deadhead too vigorously, seeds later on and into the autumn and winter.
