As the leaves change and the air turns crisp, it’s time to roll out the avian welcome mat in your garden. But why let them wing it alone when you can transform your landscaping in Barrington, IL, into a beautiful bird oasis?
If you’re yearning to turn your outdoor space into a bustling bird paradise for fall and winter, you’re in for a treat! We’re about to embark on a feathered fiesta, introducing you to the bird-attracting world’s VIPs (Very Important Plants)—five fabulous shrubs that will have your garden chirping with excitement.
1. Red Chokeberry (Aronia arbutifolia)
The Red Chokeberry blossoms in the spring with white flowers, followed by red berries in the fall and into December. In winter, the berries become softer and more enticing to birds and other wildlife.
Crows, finches, and thrushes are just a few of the wintering birds that use chokeberries as a food source. Red Chokeberry bushes thrive in extensive plantings, reaching heights of 6 to 10 feet and widths of 3 to 5 feet.
2. Winterberry Holly (Ilex verticillata)
The Winterberry Holly is a shrub that reaches 6 to 8 feet. A male plant, such as ‘Jim Dandy’ is required for the female plants to bear fruit. Birds of all kinds, including catbirds and cedar waxwings, are drawn to these berries.
Winterberry is the perfect wintertime plant: the vivid berries contrast beautifully with a layer of snow, adding a welcome pop of color to any landscaping. Unlike evergreen hollies, Winterberry loses its shiny leaves in the winter, making the berries extremely noticeable. Not only do birds find the brilliant berries to be delicious, but people also enjoy the sight of them scattered against the dramatic arrangement of trees.
3. Northern Bayberry (Myrica pensylvanica)
Birds like woodpeckers, swallows, and warblers eat the firm, red berries that Bayberry plants provide in large quantities. Berries provide a substitute food source for insects, which is necessary for birds that depend on them when winter arrives. Actually, berries account for a good deal of their wintertime diet.
Furthermore, the vivid red color of Bayberry fruits contrasts beautifully with the snowy background. The berries are aromatic, waxy, and silver-gray and remain on the plant all year round on its semi-evergreen shrub.
4. Staghorn Sumac (Rhus typhina)
When designing a landscape with birds in mind, choosing plants that produce fruit even in freezing weather is critical. Staghorn Sumac is an ideal choice. The tree’s berry clusters give birds many nutritious calories throughout the winter, and its summertime blooms draw a wide range of valuable insects.
Bluebirds, cardinals, and chickadees are some winged friends attracted to a Staghorn Sumac’s brilliant red foliage in fall and its spiky clusters of red hairy fruits.
5. Arrowwood Viburnum (Viburnum dentatum)
The Arrowwood Viburnum, also known as Blue Berry Viburnum, is a highly resistant shrub that can withstand harsh winter conditions. Many birds, such as cardinals and mockingbirds, eat these blossoms’ berries. This plant can produce berries that are red, yellow, blue, or black.
Depending on the cultivar, Arrowwood can reach 3 to 10 feet, spread up to 8 feet, and has a rounded general appearance, which can work well as a privacy hedge. Its deciduous leaves have jagged edges, are oval, and are dark green. They turn crimson or yellow in the fall.
Landscaping in Barrington, IL
Entrusting your backyard beautification project to The NL Group can turn your dreams of a stunning outdoor haven into a reality. By harnessing our expertise in landscaping, we’ll elevate your backyard’s appeal to new heights, creating a space that blends nature’s beauty harmoniously with your vision.
The NL Group, experts in landscaping located in Barrington, IL, will guide you in selecting the perfect plants to suit your space, soil, and aesthetic preferences.