Bird-Friendly Winter Gardens: Shrub Types to Attract Birds

Types, Varieties and Favorite Trees to Attract Birds

Birds bring life, color, and a harmonious ambiance to our gardens, making them an essential part of any outdoor space. One of the most effective ways to attract and support avian wildlife in your garden during winter is by planting bird-friendly shrubs and trees for them to nest and roost in. These shrubs provide birds with shelter and food and serve as nesting sites, ensuring the survival of future generations.

 

This article will explore four bird-friendly shrub types: Burning Bush, Forsythia, Carolina Allspice, and Maple Leaf Viburnum, and how their dense branch structures and tight branches make them ideal bird nesting spots. With this kind of structure, the eggs that the birds lay in their nests will be protected. After the eggs hatch, the baby birds will be safe from predators.

Bird-friendly winter garden

 Burning Bush (Euonymus alatus) 

The Burning Bush, scientifically known as Euonymus alatus, is a versatile and visually striking shrub that offers numerous benefits to birds during winter. This deciduous shrub is well-loved for its brilliant red foliage in the fall, but it has much more to offer than just aesthetics. Burning Bush attracts a variety of bird species through its small, inconspicuous flowers that bloom in spring. These flowers provide nectar for hummingbirds and insects, attracting other birds that feed on them, such as warblers and sparrows. The shrub also produces small red fruits, a valuable food source for birds like robins, cedar waxwings, and bluebirds. 

One key feature that makes the Burning Bush bird-friendly is its dense and twiggy growth habit. Birds find this shrub particularly appealing for nesting because it provides excellent cover and protection. The dense branch structure and tight branching offer a secure environment for birds to build their nests. Species like sparrows, finches, and warblers are often seen nesting in the tangled branches of the Burning Bush. The thick foliage acts as a natural shield, keeping the nests hidden from potential predators. Birds nesting in Burning Bushes benefit from the shrub's thorny stems. These thorns deter larger predators, such as raccoons and cats, that might attempt to climb the shrub to access the nests. The sheltered location within the dense branches also shields nests and eggs from the elements, providing a relatively stable microclimate that helps protect against extreme weather conditions. 

Forsythia (Forsythia spp.)

 Forsythia, a genus of flowering shrubs, is a welcome sight in early spring when its bright yellow blossoms signal the end of winter. These shrubs are not only attractive to gardeners but also to a variety of bird species. Thanks to their profuse and vibrant yellow blooms, forsythias are a magnet for early spring pollinators such as bees and butterflies. As these insects visit the flowers to collect nectar and pollen, they inadvertently attract insect-eating birds like warblers, vireos, and flycatchers.

Forsythia shrub

 

Additionally, Forsythias produce tiny seeds relished by birds like goldfinches and sparrows. Forsythias have an open and arching growth habit with many tiny branches. Birds find these shrubs appealing for nesting because of the structure's flexibility and accessibility. The branches offer a network of pathways and hidden nooks for birds to build their nests. Species such as cardinals, robins, and finches often choose Forsythia shrubs as their nesting sites. The shrub's deciduous nature also allows ample sunlight during the growing season, creating a warm and hospitable environment for birds. 

While Forsythia shrubs lack the thorns found on some bird-friendly shrubs, their dense branching structure protects nests and eggs. The intertwining branches help conceal the nests from aerial predators, and the open framework allows birds to have a clear line of sight to monitor their surroundings. This combination of factors helps ensure the safety of the nesting birds and their offspring.

 Carolina Allspice (Calycanthus floridus) 

Carolina Allspice, scientifically known as Calycanthus floridus, is a native shrub with aromatic foliage and unique, maroon to reddish-brown flowers. Beyond its enticing fragrance and visual appeal, this shrub provides essential resources for birds year-round. Carolina Allspice's flowers produce nectar, attracting pollinators, including hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees. When these pollinators visit the shrub, they become an easy food source for insect-eating birds like warblers, orioles, and phoebes. Species such as sparrows and finches consume the shrub's seeds. 

Carolina Allspice Shrubs | Greenwood Nursery

The Carolina Allspice's dense, multi-stemmed growth habit makes it an excellent choice for nesting birds. Birds find the shrub's tight branches and thick foliage ideal for building their nests. The shrub's woody structure provides sturdy support for nests, and its aromatic leaves offer added protection by deterring herbivores. Birds like chickadees, cardinals, and wrens commonly choose Carolina Allspice shrubs as their nesting sites. Carolina Allspice's dense foliage creates a hidden and secure environment for nests and eggs. The aromatic leaves may also help mask the scent of the nesting birds, reducing the chances of predators detecting their presence. The shrub's placement near the ground makes it less accessible to larger predators, further enhancing the safety of the nesting birds.

 Maple Leaf Viburnum (Viburnum acerifolium) 

Maple Leaf Viburnum, scientifically known as Viburnum acerifolium, is a native shrub in eastern North America. Its unique characteristics and adaptability to various garden conditions make it a valuable addition to bird-friendly landscapes. Maple Leaf Viburnum produces clusters of white flowers in late spring that attract pollinators, including bees and butterflies. These pollinators, in turn, draw insect-eating birds like warblers and vireos.

The shrub also produces small, red, berry-like fruits in late summer and early fall, providing a critical food source for birds such as thrushes, sparrows, and grosbeaks. The Maple Leaf Viburnum's name is derived from its striking, maple-like leaves, which create an attractive backdrop for nesting birds. The shrub's branches form a loose, twiggy structure that birds find conducive for nest building. The shrub's size, typically around 3 to 6 feet in height, makes it an ideal choice for smaller birds like sparrows, warblers, and vireos to nest within its branches. 

Using Georgia Native Plants: Mapleleaf Viburnum - Viburnum acerifolium

While the Maple Leaf Viburnum may not have thorns or dense foliage, its shrubby nature protects nests and eggs. The branches create a complex and maze-like environment, which can deter potential predators. Additionally, the shrub's location near the ground makes it less accessible to larger ground-dwelling predators. Combining these factors enhances the safety of nesting birds and their offspring. 

Creating a bird-friendly winter garden is a rewarding endeavor that benefits our feathered friends and adds beauty and vibrancy to our outdoor spaces. By selecting shrubs like the Burning Bush, Forsythia, Carolina Allspice, and Maple Leaf Viburnum, you can attract a diverse array of bird species to your garden.

These shrubs' dense branch structures and tight branches provide secure nesting sites that protect nests and eggs from predators and harsh weather conditions. Their attractive flowers and fruits offer a valuable bird food source, ensuring your garden remains a haven for avian wildlife year-round. So, whether you're a seasoned gardener or a novice looking to enhance your outdoor space, consider incorporating these bird-friendly shrubs into your winter garden. Not only will you create a more inviting environment for birds, but you'll also have the pleasure of watching these beautiful creatures thrive in your backyard.

 "Consumers really gravitate toward bird-friendly shrubs." -Tammy Sons at TN Nursery

Burning Bush

Burning Bush

Burning Bush leaves turn a brilliant shade of fiery red in autumn, adding a splash of color and drama to the landscape. This seasonal transformation makes it an excellent focal point or accent plant in any garden or backyard, providing a captivating view as the weather turns cooler. It is a versatile and visually striking shrub with numerous landscaping benefits. Its unique characteristics and adaptability make it popular among gardeners and landscape designers. Burning Bush Shrubs (Euonymus alatus) Has Firey Fall Foliage It is named after its bright red fall colors, which make for an incredible display. This large, rounded shrub has become ubiquitous in American gardens, forests, and landscaping. Typically planted in spring, it grows somewhat slowly, but if correctly cared for, it can last for many decades.  Where Does Burning Bush Grow Officially designated as Euonymus alatus, they are native to northeastern Asia, specifically Russia, China, Japan, and Korea. It was initially introduced in the United States and Canada for display and has remained popular ever since. They thrive best in forests or thickets, where they can receive a good balance between sunlight, shade, and somewhat moist conditions. It can grow well in many soil types and, therefore, can adapt well to different kinds of woodlands. Today, people commonly plant them alongside fences, roadsides, commercial plazas, and the borders of forests. They can grow from ten to twenty feet tall and equally wide. The stems of this shrub have four ‘wings,’ from which the distinctive deep red leaves grow. Each leaf can grow up to three inches long and one inch wide. When the blooms in the late spring to early summer, you’ll notice the green-looking flower. By late summer to early fall, the fruits manifest as red, round berries enclosed in an orange or yellow capsule. Why Do Gardeners Like Burning Bush Gardeners mainly like the Burning Bush's bold and sprightly bright red appearance. Beyond that, it’s a very adaptable shrub that does well in only moderately moist soil and with partial shade from the sun. It will need weekly pruning to help ensure it remains a manageable size. By the fall, the brilliant red display of the shrub will be at its brightest and most alluring, which is precisely what people who plant this shrub look forward to the most. Burning Bush Blooms A Yellow-Green Bloom They bloom each year from late May through June. The blooms feature small flowers that are usually a yellow-green color. The dense, green foliage of the bushes often obscures the appearance of these flowers. During spring, the leaves become blue and bright red in the fall. From July through October, the flowers mature, turning into small red fruits. The leaves produce a green-brown hue during the winter. The bushes can reach up to 20 feet and be just as wide. Most have multiple corky-textured stems and branches and four ridges resembling square corners. Because of their attractive foliage and spherical shape, they make great focal points in yards and gardens. Their bright crimson leaves and berries add lots of vibrancy to outdoor areas in spring and summer. You can plant a single bush to stand alone or several together to create more extensive decorative accents. They feature a dense, bushy growth habit, making them ideal for creating neat, defined borders and edges. Because of their broad shape, the bushes are suitable for planting in containers around flowerbeds. You can easily prune them to keep the desired border size and shape. Because drought-tolerant, you can even use them in areas with limited soil moisture. Burning Bush Has thick foliage that creates natural privacy. They can create a tall barrier to block views from nearby houses. Their dense foliage remains all year, giving you year-round privacy. These bushes usually grow about a foot each year. Because of how quickly they grow, they are handy for bridging spaces between flower beds, increasing the seclusion they provide. They are easy to shape to the height and density you wish to attain your desired privacy.

Forsythia - TN Nursery

Forsythia

Forsythia has vibrant yellow, bell-shaped flowers that bloom profusely in early spring before their green leaves emerge, creating a striking burst of color in gardens and landscapes. It is a deciduous shrub widely appreciated for its abundant and vibrant yellow flowers that herald the arrival of spring. It offers numerous landscaping benefits, making it a popular choice for gardens and outdoor spaces. One of the primary advantages of incorporating it into landscaping is its early-blooming nature. The Golden Color Forsythia (Forsythia suspensa) Forsythia is unparalleled in filling yards with a profusion of golden colors. Their early-season blossoming is so abundant that it covers landscapes in a kaleidoscope of yellow hues, signaling the arrival of spring. Pollinators that emerge during the first signs of spring rely on the nectar produced by these blooms. Seeing these colorful, bell-shaped blossoms arranged so closely together along the stems is breathtaking. They can reach eight to ten feet in height and ten to 12 feet in width. Their bark is rough and gray-brown. They can be erect, rounded, mounded, or arching. Their branches can be straight or curved. You can plant them as focal pieces or in mass groups. Yellow To Purple Foliage With The Forsythia In addition to their showy yellow blossoms, they alter their leaves with the seasons. The leaves transition from green to yellow to purple depending on the time of year. They stay primarily green during the summer and transition from yellow to deep purple hues throughout late autumn, right before falling to the ground. These plants go dormant in the winter. Forsythia Shrubs Are Fast Growing They, particularly the more significant types, are shrubs that proliferate, often reaching a height of two feet in only 12 months. Because they grow fast, they can quickly fill empty spaces in gardens and landscaping. Their fast growth also makes them work well as natural privacy screens. You can even grow them as hedges and borders for gardens and driveways. Their rapid growth also increases their resilience to environmental stresses. Design a Border With Forsythia In addition to their use as natural hedges and borders, forsythias provide a great deal of creative flexibility in design. Planting them side by side along a garden path will cause them to grow inward, creating a natural archway. Some people use them to create focal points. Others use them to help with soil stabilization on sloped banks because of their deep, complex root systems that retain topsoil. What is special about forsythia? Forsythia loves the yellow and decorative flowers that bloom in spring, just before or during the development of new buds. It blooms early which is why it is credited with the birth of a new beginning and is most often used in the garden once winter has passed. What Can You Do With Forsythia? It's planted for its flowers, as a hedge plant, in a border, and as a single plant. This is a fast growing, development plant, which is why it is usually used for screens or windbreaks. What are the uses of forsythia fruit? Forsythia has little fruits used in ancient history. The fruit was used for joints. What does the forsythia flower mean? The flowers of spring are the forsythia, and they represent renewal. Some people associated it with the good thing in life because of its colour. What fertilizer is good for forsythia plants? A slow-release granular fertiliser, like 10-10-10 or 15-15-15 N-P-K. Apply late winter or early spring before bud kill and pull back midsummer if you want to maximize flower and leaf quality.

Mapleleaf Viburnum

Mapleleaf Viburnum

Mapleleaf Viburnum is a deciduous shrub with distinctive three-lobed, maple-like leaves and clusters of small, white flowers followed by blue-black berries, making it an attractive choice for woodland gardens. It is a versatile and attractive shrub that offers a range of benefits when used in landscaping projects. With its unique characteristics and aesthetic appeal, this plant can enhance outdoor spaces and create a visually pleasing environment. Mapleleaf viburnum is a deciduous shrubbiest known for its red berries that turn blueish-black during summer. However, it also features flowers and other types of beautiful foliage, particularly during the year's warmer times. Mapleleaf Viburnum (Viburnum acerifolium) Is A Small Shrub This plant can reach around 3-6 feet in height and generally has a 2-4 feet spread. Its fuzzy leaves are usually 2-4 inches long with around five lobes that have serrated edges. The reason for it being in its name is because those leaves are shaped like maples. Seed production typically starts around when this plant reaches two years of age. A sealed seed coat then protects its seeds. In many cases, one of these shrubs can blossom into a colony of them. Flowers and Berries Of Mapleleaf Viburnum It creates white flowers in addition to its fruit. Blooming occurs between May and August, usually in June, while fruiting generally occurs between July and October. Meanwhile, those berries, popular with butterflies, birds, deer, rabbits, chipmunks, and people, can remain ripe into winter. Support Wildlife With Mapleleaf Viburnum  The colors this plant's leaves display during fall are stunning, and they can vary significantly as the weather and prevailing light conditions are significant factors. Possibilities include yellow, orange, pink, red, and purple. This coloring tends to occur in October and November; the timeline depends on local weather conditions and related factors. Buds created to prepare the shrub for what is coming the following spring will be visible once those colorful leaves have fallen. Where Mapleleaf Viburnum Is Found More generally, Mapleleaf Viburnum is primarily located in the eastern half of North America. In the United States, it can be found in significant numbers from the country's northeast west to Michigan's Upper Peninsula, Wisconsin and Illinois, southwest to East Texas, and south to North Florida. Where is the best place to plant maple leaf viburnum? It is native to dry, rocky woods and prefers partial to full shade, which makes it a suitable addition to woodland gardens or shaded borders. It thrives in deep, rich, moist but well-drained loams and can also succeed in rather dry or shallow, rocky soil.  What is the shape of the maple leaf viburnum?  The plant itself is deciduous, which means it drops its leaves in the winter and also has a multi-stemmed, rounded, and upright growth habit. It's similar to the maple tree both in its leaves and its flat corymb clusters of white flowers that bloom in spring, the blue-black fruit it bears, and the activities of changing colors in the fall season.  Does maple leaf viburnum grow fast?  A moderate-growing plant, maple leaf viburnum has a height increase of 12 to 24 inches per year. When supplied with appropriate care and environmental conditions, hardiness, and sunlight, it may grow to be up to 4-6 feet in the course of 2-3 years.  What is the best fertilizer for maple leaf viburnum?  For Maple Leaf Viburnum, the best fertilizer type should be slow slow-release, balanced type of fertilizer with the recommended 10-10-10 fertilizer for this plant. Use it in the early spring for new foliage and flowering, and don't overfeed in order not to form excessive foliage to the detriment of flowers.  How do you maintain maple leaf viburnum?  The maple leaf viburnum is easy to grow and very easy to maintain. Trim in early to mid-winter to maintain the structure of the plant and to take out any dieback. Mulching can be done often to help in moisture conservation and to do away with weeds.

Article Tags for: Bird-Friendly Winter Gardens: Shrub Types to Attract Birds

Discover more insightful reads and expert tips related to this topic. Dive into our curated selection of articles to expand your knowledge and get inspired. Whether you’re looking for gardening tips, plant care advice, or the latest trends in landscaping, we’ve got you covered!