Many trees and shrubs that attract birds can be grown in the Rocky Mountain region.
What characteristics do my plants need to attract birds?
To attract birds, it is important to plant trees with several different characteristics. In addition to planting trees and shrubs that provide seeds and berries, it is equally important to include plants that provide perching, cover and nesting areas. Birds require the security of nearby cover so they will repeatedly return to an area to feed. Many birds like to look for food on the ground under the protection of dense, twiggy shrubs. A mix of shrubs, evergreen and deciduous trees will provide cover and nesting places for birds. Include thorny plants like hawthorns or some types of plums and shrub roses to help keep predators away.
What trees are best to use?
Trees that will provide food and cover include many species of hawthorn, oak, mountain ash, Rocky Mountain juniper, Austrian and pinyon pines, spruces, firs,hackberries, plums and flowering crabapples. Shrubs that will provide food and cover include honeysuckles, snowberries, red and yellowtwig dogwoods, sumacs, coralberries, serviceberries, chokecherries and a wide variety of shrubby plums.
How can I attract hummingbirds to my yard?
Hummingbirds, in particular, are attracted to tubular-shaped flowers like honeysuckle and trumpet vine, and to bright orange and red blooms.
For more information, see the following Planttalk Colorado™ video(s).
For more information, see the following Colorado State University Extension fact sheet(s).
- Selecting and Planting Roses
- Trees and Shrubs for Mountain Areas
- Deciduous Shrubs
- Small Deciduous Trees
- Large Deciduous Trees
