Go Native For Birds!
Cynthia Druckenbrod
No doubt many of us are in full plant-buying mode right now. If you are looking to add new perennials, annuals or shrubs and trees to your gardens, check out the Audubon Society’s native plants database: https://www.audubon.org/native-plants
Once you input your email and zip code, the database provides you with a curated, hyper-local list of trees, shrubs, perennials and annuals that are native and known to attract a wide assortment of birds. You can also filter the list based on what which plant resources you want to offer (seeds, nectar, etc.) and even which types of birds you want to see in your yard. So, if you’re interested in knowing which perennials are best for attracting hummingbirds, you choose nectar plants and hummingbirds and up comes the list including Red Columbine, Aquilegia Canadensis (blooming now for those who are growing it). This is truly a wonderful and valuable resource to consult when you want to use native plants to attract birds and other pollinators to your garden all season long!