Planting shrubs and trees that produce berries for birds is a great way to create a bird paradise in your garden. Berry-producing plants attract various birds to your land and transform it into a haven for local wildlife.
Apart from being good sources of food, the shrubs can also be nesting sites and shelter against harsh weather elements.
The following are berry-producing shrubs and trees that will bring birds to your garden.
1. Canadian Serviceberry (Amelanchier Canadensis)
Canadian Serviceberry is a large shrub native to America. It blooms fragrant, star-shaped flowers in mid-spring which attract pollinators.
They give way to blue-black berries in early summer which are a favorite food for birds.
It attracts waxwings, robins, jays, catbirds and robins. The foliage turns yellow, or orange in the fall. It is relatively low maintenance. Canadian Serviceberry propagates by seeds or stem cuttings. It matures at 25-30ft high and 15-20ft wide.
- Thrives under full sunlight or partial shade.
- Grows well in moist, well-drained acidic soils.
- USDA hardiness zones 4-8.
2. Mountain Ash (Sorbus Americana)
Mountain Ash is a deciduous shrub with pinnate, dark-green foliage that turns orange or red in the fall. The plant produces clusters of white flowers in late spring. The berries follow the flowers and attract birds.
They are popular among migrating bird species. Mountain Ash is popular among jays, grouse, robins and waxwings. It matures at 10-30ft high and 15-30ft wide. It is native to North America.
It is low maintenance and only needs pruning during late fall. Affected by pests such as aphids and spider mites and diseases like fire blight and hone fungus.
- Thrives in full sunlight.
- Grows well in acidic, fertile, well-drained soils. Does not require large amounts of water.
- USDA hardiness zones 3-6.
3. American Holly (Ilex opaca)
An evergreen, slow-growing tree that produces delicious red berries that attract birds. It is popular among bluebirds, thrashers, mockingbirds, and woodpeckers.
It is dioecious, i.e., has male and female flowers in different plants. The berries ripen in the fall and thus maintain interest through winter to early spring. It produces green-white flowers that bloom in the spring.
It is native to eastern United States. It grows to a height of 15-30ft and spreads 10-20ft at full maturity. Propagates by seeds during winter. It is toxic to dogs, cats and horses.
- Thrives in full sunlight or partial shade.
- Grows well in average, well-drained, acidic soils.
- USDA hardiness zones 5-10.
4. Elderberry (Sambucus nigra)
Elderberry is a large deciduous shrub that produces purple or blackberries in late summer. They attract catbirds, thrashers, waxwings, orioles, warblers, tanagers and mockingbirds.
Elderberries have lush purple leaves that appear from spring to fall, and pink or purple flowers that bloom in the spring. The flowers attract pollinators and other insects which are a food source for birds.
It propagates through stem cuttings. Elderberries need regular pruning to encourage more fruits. The plant is extremely toxic to humans. It matures at 8-15ft high and 4-8ft wide.
- Thrives in full sunlight or partial shade.
- Grows well in average, fertile, well-drained soils.
- USDA hardiness zones 4-8.
5. Winterberry (Ilex verticillata)
The Winterberry is an American native, slow-growing, deciduous shrub that produces cherry red berries from fall through winter. These fruits are fed on by robins, waxwings, bluebirds and waterfowls in the winter.
The plant maintains its color through the winter, adding to the appearance of your landscape. Winterberries produce green-white flowers that bloom during late spring.
They have separate male and female plants. They mature at 6-10ft fall and 6-15ft wide. Can be planted along hedges or as shrub borders. Propagate through cuttings and seeds. Pruning encourages the development of new blooms.
- Thrive in full sunlight or partial shade.
- Grow well in average, moist, well-drained acidic soils.
- USDA hardiness zones 3-9.
6. Staghorn Sumac (Rhus typhina)
This plant is native to America and grows as a large shrub or small tree. It has bright green foliage which turns orange or scarlet during the fall. The green-yellow flowers bloom during the summer and attract honeybees and other pollinators.
They are followed by crimson berries which remain throughout the winter. They are a food source for thrushes, chickadees, mockingbirds, thrashers, catbirds, woodpeckers and warblers.
The plant is fast-growing and tolerant to drought. It matures at 15-25ft tall and 20-30ft wide. It propagates through its roots, stem cuttings, and seeds.
- Thrives in full sunlight or partial shade.
- Grows well in average, moist, well-drained soils.
- USDA hardiness zones 3-8.
7. Crabapple (Malus)
Crabapples produce apples of different sizes and colors that remain throughout the winter. They are an essential food source for birds during the cold months.
They attract robins, bluebirds, thrushes, finches and cardinals. They also provide nesting sites and cover for birds. Clusters of red flowers bloom during the spring. Crabapples can grow up to 25ft high and wide. They are toxic to dogs, cats and horses.
- Thrive in full sunlight.
- Grow well in moderate, well-drained soils.
- USDA hardiness zones 4-8.
8. Red Osier Dogwood (Cornus sericea)
A mid-sized shrub with stunning foliage, fragrant white flowers, and attractive berries. The flowers bring butterflies and pollinators to your garden.
The white berries are a favorite food for warblers, juncos, kingbirds, vireos and wild turkey. The plant propagates by stem cuttings. It is native to North America. Dogwood is easy to maintain and keeps your winter landscape colorful. It matures at 6-9ft high and 8-12ft wide.
- Thrives in full sunlight or partial shade.
- Grows well in humus-rich, moist, well-drained soils.
- USDA hardiness zones 3-8.
9. Scarlet firethorn (Pyracantha coccinea)
The Scarlet Firethorn is a semi-evergreen shrub native to China and the Himalayas. It produces clusters of white flowers in the summer. They give way to red-orange berries that ripen during fall and through the winter.
They are devoured by birds in the winter. It tolerates tough conditions. It can be used as a shrub border or specimen plant. Firethorn matures at 6-12ft high and 5-10ft wide.
- Thrives in full sunlight or partial shade.
- Grows well in dry or medium, well-drained soils.
- USDA hardiness zones 6-9.
10. Red Mulberry (Morus rubra)
Red Mulberry is an American native deciduous tree with a short trunk. The green foliage turns yellow in the fall. It has separate male and female trees. The inconspicuous flowers give way to red-purple fruits in the summer.
They are a favorite for birds. The tree requires pruning in late fall or winter to allow new blooms to develop. Propagates by seeds or stem cuttings. It reaches a height of 30-50ft and spreads 30-40ft at full maturity. It is self-seeding.
- Thrives in full sunlight.
- Grows well in moist, well-drained soils.
- USDA hardiness zones 4-10.
11. Nannyberry (Viburnum lentago)
Nannyberry, a variety of viburnum, is a deciduous shrub with creamy white flower clusters that bloom during the spring. They attract bees, butterflies and other pollinators. The flowers give way to black-blue berries in the fall.
They are eaten by catbirds, waxwings, thrashers and robins. The fruits will persist into winter, maintaining the color in your landscape. It is low maintenance and relatively free of pests. It matures at 10-20ft tall and 6-12ft wide.
- Thrives in full sunlight or partial shade.
- Grows well in average, well-drained soils.
- USDA hardiness zones 2-8.
Conclusion.
Add native plants that produce berries to maintain year-round interest for birds. Berry-producing shrubs and trees are a good food source for birds, especially during the tough winter months. The trees and shrubs mentioned above will thrive in most areas in America. However, you should check with the relevant authority if certain species are invasive in your area.
