The Birds and the Bees.

 Birds, bees, and butterflies.

When I think about a garden, I often think of birds and all the beneficial insects first. I love to see the bird activity throughout the year at our feeders; in the snow when the street and neighborhood are softly soundproofed, in the Spring when the birds begin to bring their fledglings to the feeders, and in summer and fall when their activity is frenetic and their calls soar over the constant buzz of crickets. For me , it’ so much fun to see our migratory birds, visiting briefly or our ground feeding birds that are wonderful to pick up stray seeds and eat bugs off the ground. And, I’ve recently spotted Flycatchers, who are also amazing to watch, as they dance mid air snapping up misc. flying insects.

Developing a bird and insect-friendly garden is quite simple, as there are so many low maintenance perennials, shrubs, and annuals that will attract your birds, bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. (We chose not to put out hummingbird feeders, as I try to plant flowers that attract and feed them.) If you have a shady yard or area, Hostas are a wonderful; their blooms attract hummingbirds and pollinating bees and the plants provide under story cover for your ground feeding birds. Ferns are also lovely, though most require a nice damp spot, with a little sun exposure.

 
For nice sunny areas: Butterfly bushes are drought tolerant, come back every year, and come in a wide range of purple, pink, pale blue, and even yellow flowering varieties. Butterflies and pollinating bees Love these blooms and will actively visit your bushes from July through September. Bee Balm is also a nice addition; drought tolerant and, if happy, spreading in nature. Their bloom period is short, about a full month or so, creating a full on buzz of bee and hummingbird activity. Echinacea or Corn Flower is also a drought tolerant perennial that loves full sun and spreads each year. Butterflies and bees love them and the flowers are wonderful for cutting for vases/bouquets, which personally, I feel is a Big plus. (I adore cut flowers from the garden!)  Both the Bee Balm and the Echinacea blooms will seed out when they are done and many finches love to eat the seeds, also helping in “spreading” the next year.

This year, I was so thrilled to have my first sun flowers grow and bloom. These plants were all volunteer, most likely, spread through droppings from the birds at my feeders. I have so enjoyed finally having a few sunflowers and watching the bees, then the golden finches (who do not frequent my feeders) feed off the seeded out sunflower heads. I figure, I feed the birds who then plant plants that then feed the birds!

Many gardeners believe that a healthy garden involves insect and bird activity. And, for you, it’s a win-win; beautiful flowers that are low maintenance while creating a beneficial microcosm for all.