National Wildlife Federation

Knoll Organic Farms

California Native Plant Society

Audubon Society

Gardens for Wildlife

Wildlife Habitat

Gardening For Wildlife

Plant Conservation Alliance

Family of Nature

Theodore Payne Foundation

GARDENS FOR WILDLIFE

Gardens can be a relaxing place for us to spend time, but, with careful planting, they also can be home to a variety of birds, butterflies, and small animals. It’s not difficult to create a wildlife-friendly habitat and your garden may already have some of the necessary elements.

Food can come naturally from the fruits, seeds, or nectar of trees, shrubs, and flowers growing in your garden or it can come from supplemental feeders providing nectar for hummingbirds and a variety of seeds for other birds. The "Creating a Bird Garden" article in this chapter suggests many California-native plants that local and migrating birds will find especially beneficial. Songbirds also can be attracted to your garden by planting many varieties of flowers, especially those in the sunflower family.

Flowers also are a good source of nectar for both hummingbirds and butterflies.

Hummingbirds especially like bee balm, cardinal flower, foxglove, fuchsia, hibiscus, honeysuckle, larkspur, lily, petunia, phlox, salvia, verbena, and zinnia. Butterflies are fond of butterfly weed, butterfly bush, lantana, purple coneflower, zinnias, honeysuckle, lavender, lilac, pansy, phlox, and snapdragon. Butterflies rarely feed in the shade, so plant flowers in the sunny parts of your garden. Hummingbird feeders, however, should be hung in the shade. It’s easy to make your own hummingbird nectar. Just combine one part table sugar with four parts water, bring to a boil, then cool. Clean and refill your feeders often and store any leftover nectar in the refrigerator. Since hummingbirds are very territorial, hanging a few feeders throughout your garden will attract many birds. Since many birds, even hummingbirds, also eat insects, refrain from using pesticides and insecticides. In addition to reducing the food supply in your garden, they can be lethal to small birds and butterflies.

Water is another important element in your garden. Water for drinking and bathing can come from a pedestal-mounted birdbath or a shallow water dish placed on the ground. A small pond also creates habitat for frogs, dragonflies, fish, and other aquatic animals.

Shelter from weather and predators can be provided by a variety of trees and shrubs. Piles of rocks, logs, or mulch will protect small mammals, reptiles, and amphibians. Different species of birds have distinct ideas of the perfect places to raise their young. Many trees and shrubs provide nesting areas, but you also can construct a variety of houses to attract birds to your yard. Many bird books contain specific requirements for the types of birds that you want to attract.

The National Wildlife Federation has a Backyard Wildlife Habitat Program. Once your habitat has been created, you can get it certified through this program. More information is available by writing to them at 8925 Leesburg Pike, Vienna, VA 22184-0001 or checking out their website at www.nwf.org/habitats.