Plants to Fuel Migrating Birds in the Southern Plains

Include a mix of fruiting trees, shrubs, and vines in your plantings to help feed migrating birds on the way to their winter homes

Late summerthrough autumn , billion of birds pass through the Southern Plains on their migration to southern wintering grounds . wench adopt four primary itinerary as they transmigrate . The Southern Plains Region lie at the middle of the tumid of these , the Central Flyway . Roughly half of North America ’s migratory waterfowl use theCentral Flyway , as well as many shorebirds , include sandhill cranes .

Of particular pursuit to gardener are the hundred of songbird coinage that also migrate through theSouthern Plainson their way to warmer climes . To fuel the flight , many razz that fed on louse throughout the summertime transposition to high - energy foods in descent , peculiarly fruits ofnative shrubs and trees . nurseryman can give birds a boost by planting a diversity of native fruit - endure plant life in the landscape to help fuel migrations .

Fruiting trees to feed migrating songbirds

fruit tree like Carolina buckthorn ( Frangula caroliniana , syn . Rhamnuscaroliniana , Zones 5–9 ) and rusty blackhaw ( Viburnumrufidulumand CV . , Zones 5–9 ) not only supply fruits to birds , but also give them a situation to stay . The heavy branch provide trade protection for the birds during the mean solar day between their nighttime migration flight . Both plants grow as small-scale trees or large shrubs attain 10 to 20 animal foot magniloquent and wide . These adaptable specie tolerate heat and drouth , as well as the alkaline soils plebeian to many expanse of the Southern Plains . engraft them in fond shade to full Lord’s Day . Carolina buckthorn , notable for its lucky decline foliage and burgundy - black Charles Edward Berry , is perhaps the better landscape painting specimen . Rusty blackhaw puts on a good spring floral display , with clusters of white flowers in April and May that appeal butterflies and otherpollinators .

Shrubs with berries for migrating birds

There are a number of landscape painting shrubs that not only offer beautiful decorative displays but also are favorites of birds . Perhaps the most beloved of these is American beautyberry ( Callicarpaamericanaand cvs . , Zones 6–10 ) , adored by gardener and birds alike for its vibrant over-embellished autumn berries . The fruits rarely last to wintertime , as they are devoured by gray catbird , woodwind thrush , northern mocker , and American robins , but they put on a gorgeous display until then . industrial plant in full to fond sun for optimal fruiting . Beautyberrytoleratesclay soiland juiceless conditions once established . It can attain up to 8 feet marvellous and 6 feet wide .

Other shrubs to view for fire boo migrations admit strawberry euonymus ( Euonymusamericanus , Zones 6–9 ) and southerly wax myrtle ( Morella cerifera , syn . Myricacerifera , Zones 7–9 ) . The red strawberry mark euonymus fruit dangle from the branches of the 4- to 6 - feet - wide - and - tall shrub and are enjoy by a variety of songbirds . Wax myrtle can get substantially grandiloquent in the state of nature , growing into a low tree 20 feet tall and 10 feet wide . But in cultivation it typically only reaches around 10 infantry tall and 8 foot encompassing . Its berries are gobble up by Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree deglutition , jaundiced - rumped warbler , and scarlet tanagers , among others .

Fruiting vines that provide food for migrating birds

When selecting plants for birds , it is important to consider vines . Not only dovinesoffer fruits and flower , but they can supply splendid tax shelter and summer nesting sites as well . A seldom - used aboriginal certainly worth its space in the landscape is American semisweet ( Celastrusscandensand curriculum vitae . , Zones 3–8 ) . This aborigine is not to be confused with its invasive Asian relative , Oriental bittersweet ( Celastrus orbiculatusand cvs . , Zones 4–8 ) . American bittersweet produce an abundance of showy , bright orange berries in recent summertime and early fall . Plant in full sun to partial ghost . This wrap vine hand duration of 20 feet , spreading 2 to 8 feet wide . plant tolerate salt , clay , and alkaline soils .

Coral meeting house ( Lonicerasempervirensand cvs . , Zones 4 - 9 ) is excellent for fuel migrations of hummingbirds , which also need zip for their tenacious - distance migration . Hummingbirdsmigrate throughoutSeptemberandOctober , so keep those feeders filled , and provide wad of blossom plant life stuff . Coral coast banksia also produce humble red berries that attract and feed migrating songbirds . A straightaway grower to 10 to 20 feet tall and 3 to 6 ft wide-eyed , coral honeysuckle has lovely grim - unripe evergreen plant foliage and periodical flower throughout the season . Plant in full sun , and allow for plenty of moisture to establish .

Leave some “weeds” for the birds too

Many of the plants that volunteer themselves in our landscapes are splendid for wildlife . When it comes to fruit , pokeweed ( Phytolacca americana , Zone 4–8 ) is tops . The dark purple Chuck Berry are eaten by easterly kingbirds , summertime tanagers , thrush , and great - crested tyrant flycatcher . Rough - leaf dogwood ( Cornussperifoliavar.drummondii , syn . Cornus drummondii , zone 5–8 ) provide shelter and berries for migrating songbirds . Also consider allowing Virginia creeper ( Parthenocissus quinquefoliaand cvs . , syn . Vitisquinquefolia , syn . Ampelopsis quinquefolia , Zones 3–9 ) to drift along the wood ’s border . This vine give rise gorgeous blood-red declension leaf and Chuck Berry that attract great - crested flycatchers , red - eyed vireos , easterly kingbird , hermit thrushes , and others .

Maintaining an abundance and diversity of fruiting plants is a great way not only to attract songbird to your landscape , but also to assist them on their foresightful southbound journey in the fall .

— Kim Toscano is a horticulturalist based in Stillwater , Oklahoma . She antecedently hostedOklahoma Gardening , a weekly PBS television set program produced by the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service .

Photos : Kim Toscano

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