Birds & Blooms

Birds & Blooms

By Rebecca Stott-Savage

When Tom decided to offer bird seed and supplies at the Garden Centre, some of our customers were perplexed.  ‘What do birds have to do with gardening,’ they wondered.  To be honest, I have loved working in my garden for years and have never set out feeders, baths or houses for the birds; it never crossed my mind. However, I have discovered over a very short period of time that bird lovers and gardeners have a lot in common; when both these passions are combined in a backyard, serenity is unveiled.

In an effort to educate myself, I picked up a magazine called Birds & Blooms.  I couldn’t resist the stunning photographs on the cover and throughout its pages. The Backyard field guide in the January 2011 issue contained bird profiles with tons of information on everything from physical attributes, nesting, habitat, diet and breeding.  Once I collaborated this reading with some online research, I found that the majority of the birds listed in the magazine could in fact be found in my own backyard. 

The more I learn about birds and their place in the garden, the more I realize that building a garden with these feathered friends in mind can be quite rewarding.  I have decided this spring I am going to renovate my backyard to include some cozy nooks, with a mix of sun and shade. I’m going to include a water feature with some audible running H2O and a shallow bath nearby. 

I was fascinated last spring at Tom’s Eldon with all the little nests we found in the nursery.  I loved watching nests being constructed and eggs hatching.  I especially enjoyed watching the babies feed and grow and learn to take flight.  I could enjoy all of this action at my own neck of the woods if I just planned it properly, I realized.

I don’t want any big, ugly, bullying type of birds in my backyard so I will have to plant some perennials that attract the kinds I want to watch.   I already have lots of nectar-producing flowers that attract bees and butterflies.  The butterflies especially love my lavender.  Perhaps I should add a few shrubby perennials to serve as shelter and maybe one big shade tree for mamas and papas to build their nests in. The tall, ornamental grasses I planted last year offers privacy; I bet the birds will love it too.

Here are a few plants we carry that birds love:

1.             Serviceberry – irresistible to many birds, including robins, cardinals and blue jays.

2.             Liatris – attracts hummingbirds, goldfinch and other seed-loving birds.

3.             Weigela  - attractive flowers and hummingbird friendly.

4.             Black-eyed Susan – seed-eating birds will feast on these, including chickadees and house finch.

5. Echinacea - attracts birds & butterflies

6. Joe Pye Weed - seed-eating birds enjoy

My mother feeds the birds regularly and she often complains about the squirrels that make off with the peanuts she sets out for the blue jays.  Here’s a little trick I read on-line … hang feeders five feet from the ground, seven feet from tree limbs and nine feet from any overhang as squirrels cannot make the jump from these distances. Remember it as the 5-7-9 rule.

It certainly is interesting how bird lovers, garden lovers and even pet lovers enjoy the outdoors and possess a healthy respect for Mother Nature.  I guess that’s why Tom has also decided to supply dog and cat food here, making this place like a one-stop shopping spot for the outdoors person.

(Photo contributed by Suzanne Fraser)