garden and Wildlife Experts have revealed the five best wildflowers to attract birds to your garden this summer.
Attracts birds Either is a great benefit to your garden Wildlife Garden. Not only is it a natural pest control, but the birds are also fun to watch and listen to. Not to mention, declining populations in songbird species mean they need our help too.
Planting wild flowers It is a great way to attract birds to your garden. Mimicking their wild environment, here are five beautiful wildflowers that attract birds and beautify your garden.
1. Cornflower
Cornflower frequently tops lists The best flowering plants for birds. Not only are its stunning blue flowers wonderful for brightening up our beds and borders, but pollinators are also attracted to the color.
(Image credit: Getty Images)
‘Cornflowers are loved for their vivid blue flowers. They are not only aesthetically pleasing to humans but also to birds. They’re not only attractive, but also incredibly beneficial to birds, so they’re my favourites,” says James Evans, wildlife expert. Green feather.
‘Bright blooms attract bees, hoverflies and other pollinators and insects, so not only are you supporting pollinators, but you’re also increasing the amount of natural food available to insect-eating birds.
‘Cornflowers’ long flowering season means they support wildlife for months. Your garden will be buzzing with activity. Once the flowering period is over, the seed heads can provide an additional food source for birds such as finches and sparrows, making cornflowers useful at many stages of the year.’
Where to buy cornflower
2. Esters
Asters are one Best fall flowering perennialsMaking them the perfect choice if you want to increase the color and flowering period in your garden, as well as attract wildlife.
(Image credit: Getty Images/patty_c)
‘Asters are valuable because they flower later than other garden plants, providing nectar for insects to pollinate well into autumn. This helps sustain insect populations during migration and when temperatures begin to drop. Once flowering has finished, the plant produces seeds that are enjoyed by a variety of garden birds, making asters a fantastic choice for extending wildlife value throughout the season,’ says horticulturist Amber Tunney. Cherry Lane Garden Centres.
Where to buy esters
3. Sunflower
Who doesn’t love Growing sunflowers? Adding plenty of height and color to your garden, they make a beautiful, sunny display, while birds love to feast on their seeds.
(Image credit: Getty Images/AndiWorks)
‘Few flowers are as attractive to birds as sunflowers. Its large flower heads produce hundreds of nutrient-rich seeds that are packed with oil and fat – providing an excellent energy source for species such as goldfinches, greenfinches, tit and sparrows – which is particularly helpful in summer as they stay active for longer than their young,’ says James.
‘The bright yellow flowers are also very attractive to pollinators when in bloom, supporting insects that many birds feed on. Leaving the flower heads intact rather than cutting them off allows birds to forage naturally, turning the garden into a valuable feeding station in autumn.’
Where to buy sunflowers
4. Bergamot
Bergamot is a great choice for attracting insects, which birds love to eat, to your garden. It is a bush Perennial Which produces attractive red and pink flowers.
(Image credit: Getty Images/Photos by RA Kearton)
Also known as bee balm, bergamot is great for encouraging pollinators and other beneficial insects in the garden. While birds cannot feed directly on flowers, the abundance of insects provides an important food source for species that rely on the insects they attract, particularly during the breeding season when adults are feeding hungry chicks,’ says Amber.
Where to buy bergamot
5. Oxy Daisy
Not only is the oxy daisy an excellent plant for attracting birds, but it is very drought tolerant plants, It makes a great choice for gardens that get a lot of sun, or anyone looking for low-maintenance options during the summer.
(Image credit: Getty Images / Mark Newman)
‘Oxy daisies may look modest, but they are incredibly effective at supporting bird populations. They have open, accessible flowers that attract a wide range of insects including bees, beetles and hoverflies,’ says James.
‘The activity of these buzzing insects goes unnoticed by birds, especially in early summer as they feed their growing young. Insectivorous birds, such as blue tits and robins, frequently visit daisy patches to hunt insects to feed their young protein-rich food.
‘As a native wildflower, oxy daisy is also suitable for wildlife-friendly planting schemes and helps create natural grassland-style habitats that birds are naturally drawn to.’
Where to buy Oxy Daisy
If you want your garden to welcome birds, these beautiful flowers not only provide food, but also make it their home.
