Gardening - Q&A: Shrubs to Attract Birds

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Q&A: Shrubs to Attract Birds

Question: I'm planning on buying some Elderberry and Cotoneaster shrubs to attract birds to my yard. Could you give me some information on these two types of plants, and do they need to be cross-pollinated to produce berries? Also, what are other easy-care and fast growing plants that I attract birds?

Answer: Both elderberry and cotoneaster will produce berries on their own, providing there's ample insect activity when the plants are in bloom. Neither one needs a companion plant to develop berries. Birds frequent gardens where there is food, shelter, water and a certain degree of safety. If you provide these things by planting dense growing shrubs (for shelter and safety), plants that produce fruits for food, supplement their diets with seeds, and provide a birdbath for drinking and bathing, the birds should flock to your yard. You can tempt them even more with strawberries, chokeberry, serviceberry, privet, honeysuckle, holly, currant, and bayberry.

Content provided by the National Gardening Association