Plants to attract birds to your garden.

Occasionally people ask at the garden centre about attracting birds, but they are either allergic to Grevillea or just don't like them (Whaaat?) so I am making a list of other plants, preferably Aussie to suggest to folks.

Please feel free to suggest good websites or plants if you know others.

From: http://www.nurseriesonline.com.au/Articles/Bird-Attracting-Plants.html

Bird Attracting Plants

Plants that attract birds do so for a variety of reasons, food, both including nectar and insects, shelter, nesting places and refuge from predators, nesting material, plants that provide suitable material to construct nests.

Dense thicket like shrubs are better for attracting small birds, and remember, water is also great for attracting birds.

Some bird attracting plants include, correa, banksia, salvia, epacris impressa, grevillia and kangaroo paw. And the Rainbow Lorikeet (pictured right) just loves the Kniphofia in the garden.

Birds are attracted to plants for a variety of reasons.

• Food. Nectar and insects
• Shelter. Protection from predators. Prickly plants provide shelter for small birds.
• Nesting and nesting materials
• Water

List of plants that attract birds to the garden

Plants that attract birds for Australian gardens for shelter include, prickly Plants that provide shelter such as Hakea, Banksias, Lambertia and some Acacias attract birds for shelter.

Plants that attract birds to the garden by providing nectar and insects include Anigozanthos (Kangaroo Paws) Grevilleas, Banksias, Acacias, Baekeas, Callistemons, Correas, Melaluecas, Leptospermums, Syzygium. Kennedia, Dianella, Kunzea, Salvia and Thyptomene. These plants attract birds for food.

Many grasses and reeds attract birds to the garden by providing nesting materials. Poa, Themeda and Stipa are a few.

Other bird attracting plants include:

Ajuga, Alyssum, Aster, Bee balm, Black-eyed Susan, Cardinal flower (Lobelia), Columbine (Aquilegia), Coneflower (Echinacea), Daylily (Hemerocallis), Evening primrose, Foxgloves, Geraniums, Hibiscus, Mahonia, Nandina, Nicotiana, Primrose, Red hot poker (Kniphofia), Salvia, Sedum, Sunflowers, Verbena, Viburnum and Zinnia.