Features

Creating a rich habitat of trees, shrubs and flowers is the key to planting for birds, to produce insects, fruits and seeds that birds will eat. Here is a list of plants the RSPB recommends for wildlife gardens:

Climbers

There are three main types of climbing plant: those that ramble over a structure (eg roses), those that entwine themselves around a structure (eg honeysuckle) or self-clinging plants (eg ivy)...

Shrubby Honeysuckle

Dog rose (Rosa Canina) – attracts insects and aphids – important in a bird's diet. Climbing roses are particularly useful to nestling sparrows as they form a thick impenetrable refuge.

Honeysuckle (Lonicera periclymenum) – makes ideal nesting sites for thrushes and also attracts insects for birds to feed on. Its autumn fruits also supply food for warblers, thrushes and bullfinches.

Ivy (Hedera helix) – Its evergreen property provides food and shelter all year round. A mature ivy-covered wall may shelter wren and blackbird nests, as well as a host of hibernating creatures, including butterflies.

Flowering plants

Single petal varieties of flowering plants are more likely to be useful to insects looking for pollen and nectar. Additionally the seeds of ornamental grasses, such as millet, are often attractive to house sparrows...

Alyssum (Alyssum spp) – this drought resistant plant attracts bees, moths, butterflies and hoverflies. It also attracts aphids which are eaten by house sparrows.

Candytuft (Iberis spp) – Attract bees, butterflies and moths. It is attractive to slugs, snails and caterpillars, all of which are eaten by song thrushes and a number of other birds.

Sunflower

Flowering tobacco (Nicotiana spp) – Attractive to a number of important insects, in particular bees, butterflies and moths.

Sunflower (Helianthus spp) – Some annual varieties provide seeds for birds to feed on. Also attracts a host of bees, butterflies and hoverflies.

Knapweeds (Centaurea spp) – Particularly attractive to bees, butterflies, moths and hoverflies.

Millet (Panicum) – Millets are reasonably drought tolerant and are attractive to house sparrows as a source of food.

Shrubs

A wide variety of shrubs provide food and suitable habitats for a variety of wildlife...

Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) – Its thorny nature provides excellent protection for birds as shelter and nest sites. The berries provide food in autumn for thrushes. Hawthorn also provides food for caterpillars and aphids, which house sparrows and starlings feed on.

Hawthorn berries

Goat willow (Salix caprea) – The catkins provide a rich source of nectar for bees and caterpillars, aphids and sawflies, which are important food items for birds.

Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster spp) – Bees are attracted to its nectaring flowers, and starlings and thrushes find its berries a good source of autumn and winter food. It also attracts a variety of insects.

Trees

Trees are important in a wildlife garden as they provide food and shelter...

Silver Birch

Silver Birch (Betula spp) – Several invertebrate feed on it, and dead or decaying birches are important for fungi and nesting birds. The insects and prolific amount of seed is attractive to a number of birds, including house sparrows.

Holly (Llex aquifolium) – provides shelter and protection. Its berries provide food for birds during the winter and butterflies in the spring.

Rowan (mountain ash) (Sorbus aucuparia) – Berries provide an important food source for blackbirds and starlings. Also attracts insects, including aphids and sawflies, which are important food for house sparrows.