Robins are a common sight in gardens across the UK, but there are certain plants you can grow to encourage them to visit more often – and they’re perfect for autumn
Katherine McPhillips and Talya Honebeek Content Editor – Spare Time
09:41, 05 Oct 2025
Robins will visit your garden more often if you have these plants in your garden(Image: Cris Cantón via Getty Images)
Robins are often associated with winter due to their frequent appearances on Christmas cards, but they’re actually more commonly seen in autumn as they forage for food. As October rolls around, natural food sources like berries and insects start to dwindle due to the colder weather, leading robins to venture into gardens in search of sustenance.
It’s crucial for robins to consume plenty of nutrients at this time to build up their fat reserves, which will help them stay warm and survive through the winter months.
Providing food in birdfeeders is a generous act that can greatly assist robins during this period, although it can be time-consuming and is often overlooked in daily routines. However, Hannah Vickers, an expert from the Woodland Trust, has revealed an easy way to support these birds, provided certain plants are grown in your garden.
So, what plants can attract robins to your garden?
Hannah said: “Berry-rich trees and shrubs like rowan, hawthorn, guelder rose and holly are all great natural food sources and also help to provide shelter. Plants with an abundance of seeds are another great choice, such as teasels or sunflowers.”
Simply planting a lot of wildflowers will make it easier for robins to find insects (Image: Getty)
Cultivating bird-friendly plants is an easy way to keep your garden lively as the chillier weather approaches, and offers the chance to spot robins on a daily basis, reports the Express.
Rowan trees, with their berry offerings, are a hit with birds, but they can grow quite tall and unwieldy, often lacking sufficient foliage for robins to nest in.
Holly trees are favoured by robins, but their slow growth rate and large space requirement make them less than ideal.
You are more likely to spot robins now in autumn while you are looking for food(Image: Getty)
On the other hand, hawthorn, being smaller and known for its dense foliage, provides a secure nesting and feeding spot for robins.
Guelder roses are particularly beneficial for robins as they prefer to feed closer to the ground, and this bushy shrub offers ample cover, making it a safe winter feeding spot.
The plant’s attractive white flowers also draw a host of insects, providing an additional food source for robins.
While robins are fond of sunflower seeds, these flowers will soon be past their prime, so planting teasel flowers, which naturally sprout in autumn, might be a better option.
A natural way to help robins out if to grow certain shrubs, flowers or trees in your garden(Image: Getty)
If all else fails, sowing a patch of wildflowers in October could be the solution. They thrive in cool, rainy weather and attract beetles, worms, and caterpillars, creating a natural foraging area for robins.
Hannah suggested: “Another option is to plant some wildflowers to attract the insects that birds love to feed on. That way you can supply birds with food while filling your garden with gorgeous flower displays.”
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