Lots of people want birds to visit their garden, and there’s a simple method you can use to encourage them. According to gardening expert David Fryer, you just need a simple plant
09:14, 27 Dec 2025Updated 09:42, 27 Dec 2025
There are simple methods you can use to attract birds (stock image)(Image: Cris Cantón via Getty Images)
Many gardeners dream of attracting feathered visitors to their outdoor spaces, and it transpires that a straightforward fruit could be the key to making this happen, especially when grown as a plant. A gardening guru has recently revealed how to guarantee birds will keep returning to your patch, and the solution might be far easier to achieve than you’d imagine.
David Fryer, an expert from Mr Fothergill’s, has shared his top tips for bird-friendly gardening. The brand boasts more than 30,000 Instagram followers and has been guiding green-fingered enthusiasts since 1978, with David offering countless suggestions to help people maximise their garden potential over recent years.
He’s not alone in dispensing bird-attracting wisdom either. Just weeks ago, another tip was shared to help people encourage blackbirds to visit their outdoor spaces.
David explained: “Bird feeders are a great supplement when natural food is scarce, but the best way to feed the birds is to grow food for them. Plants that hold onto their seeds or produce berries, such as hawthorn, holly and viburnum, provide both nourishment and shelter while avoiding the risks of disease sometimes associated with crowded feeding stations.”
He emphasised the importance of feeder hygiene, advising: “If you do use feeders, keep them clean, refresh food regularly and space them out to avoid competition.”
Birds like to feast on certain berries (stock image)(Image: Victorburnside via Getty Images)
Regarding winter wildlife support, David recommended: “Choose plants that support wildlife through multiple seasons. Native hedging plants such as hawthorn provide berries in winter and nesting cover in spring.
“Shrubs like holly and viburnum are reliable berry producers, too. For blooms across the seasons, mix spring bulbs like crocus and snowdrops with summer-flowering herbs and autumn favourites such as ivy and sedum, ensuring year-round sustenance for pollinators.”
What berries do birds like?
You might be surprised to learn that our feathered friends have quite the appetite for berries, with top picks including holly, elderberry, hawthorn, ivy and viburnum. These little powerhouses pack essential energy and nutrients, particularly during the harsh winter months.
Whilst they’re also partial to familiar treats like blueberries, raspberries and blackberries, birds absolutely adore the varieties that flourish in British gardens. Pop just one of these berry-laden plants in your outdoor space, and you’ll have winged visitors flocking over in no time.
As David highlights, cultivating plants bearing these berries is far superior for keeping our avian pals well-fed whilst ensuring their safety too. It’s brilliant gardening wisdom for supporting local birdlife.
Why is winter bird feeding so crucial?
Many don’t realise just how vital it is to provide sustenance for birds throughout the winter period. As temperatures plummet, their usual food supplies dwindle dramatically and daylight hours shrink, limiting foraging opportunities.
Our feathered companions need energy-rich, fat-laden fare to maintain their body heat during bitter nights. Proper feeding can genuinely help them survive during brutal weather conditions.
Feeding birds the right food can help them maintain body heat and strength, so what you provide in your garden can really make a difference. By making some modifications to your outdoor space, you can assist both resident and migratory birds.
If you haven’t grown any of the mentioned plants yet, there are other items you can leave outside to help birds. Concentrate on leaving out things like suet, mealworms, sunflower hearts and high-quality seed mixes.
A heated bird bath can also help birds stay hydrated when water sources freeze over. There are several ways you can make a difference.
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