Wildlife Gardening: Learn About Trees And Shrubs With Winter Berries
![Shrub With Red Winter Berries](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/NCqzezBxNcBHqXKpQQAfZ4-415-80.jpg)
Birdfeeders are not the best way to help wild birds survive the winter. Planting trees and shrubs with winter berries is the better idea. Plants with berries in winter are food sources that can save the lives of many types of wild birds and small mammals. Read on for information about winter berry plants for wildlife.
Plants with Berries in Winter
Brighten your backyard in winter by installing trees and shrubs with winter berries. Small fruits add a dash of color to winter scenes and, at the same time, winter berry trees and bushes provide an annual, reliable food supply for birds and other critters, whether or not you are around. Fruits are an extremely important source of nutrition for overwintering birds. Even birds that are insectivores in summer—like woodpeckers, thrashers, quail, robins, waxwings, mockingbirds, bluebirds, grouse and catbirds—start eating berries when cold weather arrives.
Best Winter Berry Plants for Wildlife
Any winter-fruiting plants are valuable for wildlife during the cold season. However, your best bets are native trees and shrubs with winter berries, those that naturally grow in your area in the wild. Many native winter berry trees and bushes produce astonishing amounts of fruit, and native plants require little care once they are established. The list of native winter berry plants for wildlife starts with holly (Ilex spp.) Holly shrubs/trees are lovely, with shiny green leaves that often stay on the tree all year long plus brilliant red berries. Winterberry (Ilex verticillata) is a deciduous holly with a stunning fruit display. Cotoneaster (Coloneaster spp.) is another of the shrubs with winter berries beloved by the birds. Cotoneaster varieties include both evergreen and deciduous species. Both types keep their berries well into winter. Coralberry (Symphoricarpus orbiculatus) and beautyberry (Callicarpa spp.) are two other possible additions to your grouping of winter berry plants for wildlife. Coralberry produces round, red berries that pack densely along branches. Beautyberry changes the tune by producing branchfuls of purple berries.
Gardening tips, videos, info and more delivered right to your inbox!
Sign up for the Gardening Know How newsletter today and receive a free download of our most popular eBook "How to Grow Delicious Tomatoes."
Teo Spengler has been gardening for 30 years. She is a docent at the San Francisco Botanical Garden. Her passion is trees, 250 of which she has planted on her land in France.
-
Worried About Hibiscus Disease? 5 Common Problems To Watch Out For
Hibiscus disease can lay waste to some of the garden’s most delightful tropical plants. If you’re concerned, act fast – with this guide to the five most common
By Tonya Barnett
-
Watering Hollyhocks: How And When To Water Alcea Rosea
They are some of the most statuesque, elegant flowering plants you can grow in beds and borders, so make sure you’re watering hollyhocks well to keep them looking their best
By Tonya Barnett
-
Best Short Bushes For Erosion Control
Erosion is a serious problem that can be solved with the right plants. Read about some low-growing shrubs that can help with erosion control.
By Bonnie L. Grant
-
Super Hardy Shrubs And Trees For Northern Climates
What are the most cold hardy shrubs and trees for northern climates? Click here to find out.
By Teo Spengler
-
Flowering Shrubs That Like Full Sun And Heat
Some types of flowering shrubs love full sun and summer heat. Read on for full sun shrub suggestions.
By Teo Spengler
-
Types Of Shrubs With Purple Leaves
In a garden full of greens and pastels, many gardeners use purple bushes and shrubs for a touch of drama. Here are our favorites.
By Teo Spengler
-
Flowering Shrubs That Are Deer Resistant
There is almost nothing a deer will not eat if it is hungry enough, but some plants are better than others. Read on for information on flowering deer resistant shrubs.
By Teo Spengler
-
Blooming Invasive Bushes To Avoid
When it comes to pretty flowers on honeysuckle, scotch broom, and butterfly bush, invasiveness hasn’t always mattered. Today, gardeners know better.
By Mary Ellen Ellis
-
Easy To Care For Flowering Bushes
Flowering shrubs are a joy in the landscape, but many gardeners worry about maintenance. Read on for ideas on easy care flowering bushes.
By Teo Spengler
-
Pretty Purple Flowering Shrubs
All flowering shrubs add interest and color to the garden, so why not pick purple? Here are our top recommendations.
By Teo Spengler