At this time of year, one of the best types of plants gardeners can add to their gardens are those with berries, which give birds plenty of sustenance. One plant Alan recommended that’s particularly popular among robins and sparrows is the “beautyberry”, also known as callicarpa. He said: “It looks artificial. It’s purple, which is not a natural colour for berries in the garden. Robins and sparrows love it.
“It makes a tallish shrub. Stick it at the back of a border where it will be background for most of the year, but then come autumn, look what it does, it really draws your eye.”
The gardening expert also highlighted pyracanthas, commonly called firethorns, which produce vibrant red, yellow, or orange berries throughout autumn and winter.
He explained that these plants make excellent hedges and can be easily trained to climb along the sides of buildings or sheds.
Alan also recommended cotoneasters (often called catoni asters) as ideal for smaller birds. Their “bite-sized” berries provide a valuable food source.
Roses that develop rose hips are another brilliant choice for attracting birds to your garden. As the bright red hips soften, birds flock to them – blackbirds, especially, find them irresistible.
Birds also need shelter at this time of year, not just food. One way gardeners can provide this is by planting thorny shrubs like barberries or holly, which also produce berries.
The thorny leaves can help deter predators and provide shelter for birds in winter, while the berries give them sustenance.
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