THE RIGHT LANDSCAPING CAN ATTRACT MORE BIRDS TO YOUR YARD

Bird feeders are a great first step, but there are birds you may be missing out on because they are not seed or nectar eating birds. Many types of birds prefer to eat berries, fruit and insects. You can reach these birds by creating a more bird-friendly backyard.

A bird feeder makes an attractive ornamental feature for your garden, bringing you hours of delight as you sit and enjoy the company of your feathered visitors. Plan the landscape around it to ensure it enhances, rather than detracts, from the style and flow of your property.

For a formal look in your yard, put your bird feeder right in the center of your yard. One effective way to display it prominently is to have paths radiating outward from it, with low-growing herbs or perennials planted between the paths. This style is reminiscent of formal European gardens that focus on geometric shapes, straight borders, paths and decorative elements such as fountains, sundials or statuary. Placing your feeder like this gives the landscape a sense of order and grandeur.

If you prefer your yard or garden to reflect the wild, rustic charm of the natural cottage garden style, designate a corner for your bird feeder. Place tall plants, such as jasmine or wisteria behind the feeder. Around and in front of the feeder, plant an assortment of perennials and foliage, such as coneflowers, lantanas, ferns or coleus. The bird feeder should seemingly emerge out of the cluster of assorted growth, as if it had been forgotten in an area where the wild took over and grew around it.