Winter is on its way! With that comes cool weather, shorter days, and an abundance of native wildlife foraging for food and shelter in the cold months ahead. From birds and butterflies to rabbits and squirrels, there are many different species found out in the cold. These animals will be much happier to spend time in your garden. Who wouldn't love that?
Want to know how to make your garden even more inviting for wildlife? Check out these six winter plants that will bring all sorts of critters flocking your way!
Bramble (Rubus fruticosus)
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Bramble is a hearty plant that is often found growing in the wild, but it can also be cultivated in your garden. This plant attracts a wide range of wildlife to your yard due to the berries!
Robins, blackbirds, and wrens make nests in the bramble while also using it as a food source. Even mice and fox with look around for this tasty snack. Insects like butterflies and bees can get pollen from bramble while others like moths lay their eggs there.
If you are looking for an easy-to-grow plant that will help your garden thrive all year long, then consider planting some bramble! With its beautiful flowers and tasty berries, this shrub is an excellent choice for any garden.
To Note: This bush is known to be an invasive species. Regular pruning is needed to keep this plant from taking over your entire garden.
Guelder Rose (Viburnum opulus)
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Guelder rose is a winter plant that will attract wildlife to your garden. This beautiful shrub has dark green leaves, white flowers, and dark red berries. They are a wildlife lovers go-to.
The Viburnum tinus 'Eve Price’ variety has a long flowering season, from late winter to early spring. It's a great choice if you're looking to add some winter color to your garden. But, since this rose bush is invasive, try opting for the Viburnum opulus 'Compactum' variety which is more controllable.
When caring for your guelder rose, it's important to keep in mind that this plant prefers partial shade.
If you're looking for a beautiful winter shrub that will attract wildlife (like bullfinches and mistle thrushes) to your garden, then guelder rose is an excellent choice!
Dogwood (Cornus sanguinea)
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One of the most beautiful and popular winter plants is the dogwood shrub. Dogwood shrubs are prized for their showy white or pink flowers in spring. Additionally, they produce bright blue-black fruit in fall and winter.
With proper care, your dogwood tree will attract all sorts of beautiful wildlife to your garden, including mistle thrushes and robins.
Winterberries (Ilex verticillata)
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One of the showiest and brightest winter shrub is the winterberry. This shrub produces bright red berries that will attract a wide variety of birds. They included scrub jays, robins, and cedar waxwings. The winterberry is a beautiful, versatile plant that can be enjoyed all winter long, and not just by you!
So, if you want to add a splash of color and bring some wildlife into your garden this winter, then consider adding winterberries to your garden today.
Southern Arrowwood (Viburnum dentatum)
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Southern arrowwood is a perennial shrub native to eastern North America, with attractive green foliage and small white flowers that bloom in late summer and early fall.
Not only is the southern Arrowood beautiful, but it also produces berries that are a great source of food for birds. Cardinals, mockingbirds, blue jays, catbirds, and more benefit from this delicious shrub.
Crabapples (Malus spp)
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Whether you're a beginner gardener or an experienced green thumb, crabapples are a great choice for anyone looking to liven up their outdoor space.
With their vibrant red and white flowers and bright green leaves, crabapples are sure to attract plenty of attention from both humans and animals alike. Crabapples are known to attract grosbeaks, robins, bluebirds, thrushes, and cardinals. Whether you choose a small tree that will fit nicely in any corner of your yard or an expansive one that can make a bold statement, these plants are sure to be a welcome addition to your garden.
Create A Winter Buffet
It's clear from this list just how important it is to include plants that support wildlife in your garden during the cold season. They not only contribute to pollinator populations and provide food for many different types of birds, but their vibrant foliage adds pops of color to an otherwise drab winter landscape. By planting varieties that attract wildlife to your garden, you'll be doing both yourself and the world around you a favor!
Make sure to share this article with your friends and family, so they can start enjoying the benefits of these helpful plants too. And don't forget to leave a comment below on what your favorite winter plant to attract wildlife is!