The best way to attract birds to your landscape is to provide food, water, and shelter from our strong winds. Consider planting trees, shrubs and perennial flowers that will create some shelter and provide food for our feathered friends.
Bird-Friendly landscaping tips would include some of the same tips we suggest in creating a pleasing landscape design for people as well. Include drought-tolerant plants that will thrive in our climate. Plan for a long season of bloom by including early – mid and late flowering selections. Group at least 3 of the same plant together to create a more visual interest – for people and to attract birds.
Creek Side grows a large list of perennials that are well-suited for growing in our hot, dry climate. All will provide color and horticultural interest in your landscape. Some will provide pollen for pollinators traveling through the neighborhood. Others will provide nectar for butterflies. And still others may provide nectar, seeds or attract insects that will support bird habitat.
Bird Friendly Plants
Following is a list of bird friendly plants that were included in the 2022 Creek Side Perennial list. Some may not be available at this time – but many still are.
Perennials
ACHILLEA mil ‘Dsrt Ev Dp Rse’
Allium cernuum Nodding Onion
AQUILEGIA caer ‘Rky Mtn Blue’
AQUILEGIA chrys DENVER GOLD
BERLANDIERA lyrata Choc Flwr
CALLIRHOE invol Winecups
ENGELMANNIA per Engleman Daisy
ERIOGONUM umb KANNAH CREEK
GAILLARDIA ari ‘Ariz Red Shd’
GAILLARDIA ari ‘Ariz Sun’
Heliopsis helianthoides Summer Nights
LINUM perenne ‘Brgt Blue Flax’
Myosotis alpestris Ultramarine
PENSTEMON bar ‘Coral Baby’
PENSTEMON bar ‘Rid Hd Delft Blue
PENSTEMON bar ‘Rid Hd Red’
PENSTEMON grand ‘Prairie Jewel’
PENSTEMON lin var co ‘Silverton’
PENSTEMON pin StepSn Suns Glow
PENSTEMON pinifolius
PENSTEMON pseudospectabilis
PENSTEMON rostiflor ‘Bridges’
PENSTEMON strictus ‘Rky Mtn’
RATIBIDA columnifera ‘Red’
RUDBECKIA hirta ‘Rustic Colors’
Shrubs
Amelanchier x grandiflora Autumn Brilliance® Shrub
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi ‘Massachusetts’
Artemisia tridentata
Cornus sericea ‘Baileyi’
Juniperus scopulorum ‘Woodward’
Prunus besseyi
Provide Water
If you want a greater variety of wild birds to visit your backyard and feeders, provide water throughout the summer and winter. Birds will use a water source for drinking and bathing. You can provide water by using a simple, shallow dish or birdbath and again, placing it in an open area in the yard, so birds can spot predators. You will need to empty and refill the dish with fresh water daily, to keep it from freezing solid. It is important to clean the water source at least weekly (especially during the summer), scrubbing and cleaning the inside of the birdbath with dish soap and/or laundry detergent. Be sure to remove all of the soap before refilling the birdbath with water. A birdbath heating device will keep water from freezing, so birds have access to fresh, clean water throughout the winter. Check water levels daily, especially when it is windy, due to the increased evaporation.
