Spring and fall are good times for planting shrubs and small trees. It’s also when we introduce our annuals to the garden. Best time to plant those annuals is after Mothers Day. Here are a few suggestions to help out the birds and bees as well as your yard and gardens.
Plants for Birds: Shrubs and small trees that produce berries for seasonal food and year-round shelter:
1. Dogwood (Cornus florida) Zone 4-9
2. Ninebark (Physocarpus spp.) Zone 2-8
3. Serviceberry (Amelanchier arborea) Zone 4-8
4. Beautyberry (Callicarpa americana) Zones 5-8
5. Juniper (Juniperus spp.) Zones 3-9
6. Viburnum (Viburnum spp.) Zones 2-8
For the Hummingbirds include:
1. Cardinal flower
2. honeysuckle
3. Hosta
4. Bee balm
5. Cannas
6. Lantana
7. Salvia.
Plants for the Butterflies: Favorites for the Butterfly:
1. Butterfly bush
2. Garden phlox
3. Purple coneflower
4. Cosmos
5. Zinnia
6. Lantana
Plants for the Bees: All of the above; if there is pollen they will come.
The hummingbirds have arrived already so put out sugar water (1 part sugar:4 parts water – boiled) to help them keep their energy until more flowers are in bloom.