Robins are a favourite of many, and while they can be seen all year round, they may be more noticeable in spring
Sophie Harris Senior Lifestyle Reporter
10:25, 13 Apr 2026
Attract robins to your garden this spring with the best shrubs and plants(Image: Stephen Catterall via Getty Images)
Birds require assistance throughout the year, whether that means providing nutritious food or water for bathing. This becomes particularly crucial during the spring months when British birds are constructing nests, laying eggs and rearing their young.
Robins are amongst the UK’s most beloved birds, and while they’re a delightful sight all year round, they tend to be more visible in spring. This is down to a shift in their diet, as they become more reliant on insects, worms and spiders, which are commonly found in lawns. According to one expert, enticing them into your garden is straightforward.
James Ewen, gardening expert at Green Feathers, said: “Robins are a favourite of mine, and it’s always a pleasure when one pays you a visit.
“People think luring robins is an impossible task, and while they can be a rare sighting, when you know, you know.
“Considering their basic needs and comfort- food, drink, nesting opportunities, shelter and their most-loved plants and shrubs can go a long way.”
Shrubs
If you’re hoping to attract robins, providing dense shrubs, hedges and climbing plants is ideal. These offer protection from severe weather and safety from larger birds.
The gardening expert said: “A top choice for attracting robins and other songbirds is a serviceberry tree, known by many names, including juneberry.”
Their fruit ripens from late spring through summer, supplying robins with a consistent source of soft, energy-rich berries.
Juneberry trees are great for robins(Image: Getty)
Food
Understanding what robins enjoy eating is crucial. These birds are fond of food, and offering mealworms and earthworms is an excellent starting point. According to the expert, providing these treats will ensure robins “keep coming back”.
Fruits such as apples and pears can also serve as a valuable source of fibre and vitamins for robins.
These can aid digestion while promoting healthy plumage and eyesight.
Water
Like many birds, robins require water both for drinking and bathing. Maintain a shallow bird bath topped up throughout the year, or position a small dish close to shrubbery.
The expert said: “Robins prioritise safety, so positioning water by shrub shelters them from predators. Never underestimate how important water is to robins for bathing.
“Providing a place for robins to bathe keeps their feathers clean and free from parasites, and they also make their feathers more pliable when they bathe, allowing them to fight more efficiently, thus getting away from predators more effectively.”
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