Birds, butterflies and bees rely on plants, trees and shrubs to survive and thrive.
That’s why doing your part for the environment by establishing wildlife-friendly areas in your own backyard is so crucial. Chances are, your garden is already a welcoming space for all kinds of nature, but with a little extra research and planning, you can take your gardening a couple steps further and transform your yard into a healthier and happier sanctuary for birds, butterflies and bees.
This book, brought to you by the editors of Birds & Blooms magazine, can serve as your guide to attracting new visitors to your landscape. Birds & Blooms has helped lead the trend we like to call “gardening with a purpose” for over 20 years. We’ve always recognized the importance of going beyond just the beauty of a garden, and purposefully choosing flowers, trees and shrubs for their environmental benefits.
We even went a step further and put together some handy symbols to help you achieve the wildlife-friendly backyard of your dreams. Look for the symbols next to each plant profile to discover what the plant will attract. (Some plants are a triple whammy and attract birds, butterflies and bees!) For extra guidance, check the light-requirement symbols. You’ll be able to quickly see if a plant should be grown in shade, part shade or full sun—vital info you need to know to create a great habitat.
Once you’ve established a flourishing backyard, be sure to enjoy your new guests. Throughout this book, we’ve highlighted over 60 bird species and 34 butterfly species you might see in your space. Have fun identifying all of the birds, butterflies and bees in your own backyard!
CREATE HABITAT
If you want to create a wildlife-friendly backyard, you must keep three basics in mind: food, water and shelter. Plants are key, but you can also add birdbaths, feeders and nest boxes.