Advice on Shrubs for Birds (1 Viewer)

Hey guys. We are looking to get a couple of new shrubs for the Garden, for privacy and idealy something liked by the birds and insects. We have a space at the top left hand corner of the garden which we were thinking of putting a Red Robin, as the red and green leaves may look quite decrotive and a couple of other spaces here and there filled by Viburnums. I was wandering does anyone kno of any easy to grow evergreen shrubs that are popular for birds? I have heard that viburnum are popular and some birds even nest in them.

The best plants for attracting birds to gardens are native species. As you are in England some of my recommendations are: for a tree, silver birch is one of the best, holly, hawthorn and honeysuckle for the berries. Ivy is excellent as it provides berries in late winter when there is little food about, also it's great for nesting house sparrows and if you're lucky others. Here are a few old threads discussing good garden plants for birds:

http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=83021

http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=87374

http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=73881

Welcome to Birdforum, I see you've just joined.

We have a Viburnum called Viburnum Bodnantense Dawn
http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/plants/plant_finder/plant_pages/971.shtml
the good thing about this is it flowers in late winter and sometimes in Autumn as well so you have some colour in the garden all yearand the birds seem to like it. We even ended up with a Honey Bee nest in it in 2003
http://www.birdforum.net/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=8892

Another one we have is Mahonia Media Charity
http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/plants/plant_finder/plant_pages/11042.shtml
Another one that is loved by the birds as there is flowers and when not in flower berries. It was the Blackcaps favourite tree.

Also a Pyracantha preferebly one with red berries as the Blackbirds love them and this year we were treated to Fieldfare and Redwing, it is also very good if there is anywhere you are concerned about security with as due to the thorny nature of it anyone trying to get over or through it would end up worse off.

thank you so much guys for these suggestions. we are looking at the info you provided and looking up on different species of these now. We use to have a very bushy and tree like garden, but because we are attatched to garges, the roots of the conifers we had started to crack and damage the garage. so we had to remove them and alot of shurbs out. we have some left but the garden is the most open it has ever been. so we would like somethng ideally for privacy and liked by all species of wildlife in the gadren and in particular, the birds. and something that can provide a nest will be good too.

Are there any particulars that birds nest in? Any Viburnum's that they like to next in do you does anyone know?

Hi Dan

Viburnum Opulus is a native that would provide finches with nesting cover but they are often quite an open type shrub if left alone but they really are worth it for the superb berries.
http://www.plantpress.com/wildlife/o520-guelderrose.php

A good shrub I thought of was Yew which can be kept in order but is very slow growing

http://www.plantpress.com/wildlife/o521-yew.php

Berberis Darwinii
http://www.wildaboutgardens.org/plants/shrub/berberis-darwinii.aspx


A good but over trimmed plant is the common Privet
http://www.plantpress.com/wildlife/search.php?name=privet&pl=5&adv=1&ot=&r=0&g=0&p=1&o=970

Hawthorn (keep away from the double flowering variety often pink)
http://www.plantpress.com/wildlife/search.php?name=hawthorn&pl=5&adv=1&ot=&r=0&g=0&p=1&o=474

Dan the other consideration is to plant a mixed hedge as different birds look for different things in a nest site. This gives you the best chance to appealing to more than one or two species of bird and to be honest adds a far more interesting element to your enjoyment as each plant has it's own interesting points.

Maybe a read through a few pages will help
http://www.rspb.org.uk/advice/gardening/planting/hedges/index.asp

http://www.rspb.org.uk/advice/gardening/planting/shrubs/recommended.asp

i planted a hedge at the back of the garden containing hawthorn and blackthorn (£20 for 20 plants) then mixed in some other species for a bit of variety to both height and fruit/seeds. i included two rowan trees, 2 alder trees and a pyracantha. hopefully that should provide shelter in the thorny hedge, along with some additional berries from the rowan and pyracantha, catkins from the alders for the finches and add some height to the back end of the garden. although i might be waiting a fair few years to see any real results.

i think the things most recommended for nesting birds, or for food for birds, are oak, hawthorn and silver birch. although other things like ivy and privet are worth a shout.

Thank you Sleeper for your suggestions It gave us some ideas.

We have planted most of our Shrubs today, much to the birds curiosity, especially the Blackbird, doing the typical following the Gardener for Worms bit :-O

We have gone for the Pyracantha Saphyr Rouge which produces loads of Red Berries that birds like to eat. That is at the top corner of the Garden where we also need privacy most. Have heard that some birds can nest in there too.

Also three Escolonias, 2 miniture "Red Dreams" together nearest the House, as roots of a bigger Shrub there would be too near the House. And the other Escolonia a "Red Dream", is up on the hill of the Garden that will push out to the garages that we have for some privacy.

A Ceaonthus Concha, in between the Liliac and Cotoneaster that we already have. Which hopefully when matured will be a nice mixture display of color. And again near the Garages, a Viburnum Dawn.

Feel really pleased and satisfied now and am going to watch them grow with enjoyment and satisfaction. Thank you for suggestions everyone :t: