Turning your yard into an oasis brings many joys, such as unwinding after a long day or receiving regular visits from nature’s favorite friends. While bird feeders can attract wild birds to your yard, the best way to encourage a variety of wildlife to visit your landscape design is with a multitude of animal-friendly trees and shrubs. Whether you’re an experienced landscaper or still developing your green thumb, keep the following species in mind for your next landscaping project.

5 Ideal Plants for Your Nature Wonderland  

1. Southern Sugar Maple

The broad leaves of the southern sugar maple provide ample shade and a perfect nesting ground for birds and squirrels that love to munch on their seeds. Hearty and heat-resistant, the sugar maple has seen an uptick in popularity in recent years as an ornamental shade tree for many landscape designs.

2. Coral Honeysuckle

The brilliant red flowers blooming along the woody vine of the coral honeysuckle are perfect for attracting hummingbirds to your garden. Abundant sweet nectar and bright fruits are also attractive to goldfinches, quail, and other songbirds. Its persistent leaves can even last throughout the fairly mild winter season typical of the South.

3. Blackhaw

Sturdy and attractive, the delightful blackhaw can grow from a range of 12 feet to a whopping 30 feet tall. Producing beautiful clusters of white flowers and dark-colored berries, the elegant tree attracts a variety of songbirds, beneficial insects, and some mammals to dine on its abundant fruit and nectar.

4. Willow Oak

The fast-growing willow oak is a fairly large shade tree that enjoys an abundance of sunlight. Its wide leaves and acorns will entice a variety of animals including quail, whitetail deer, and some songbirds. As the summer descends into autumn, the willow oak provides your yard with a burst of color with its yellow, orange, and red leaves.  

5. Deciduous Holly

Native to North America, the lively deciduous holly produces fruit throughout most seasons, including the winter. Attractive as a food and nesting site, the large shrub will entice a variety of bluebirds, mockingbirds, and other delightful songbirds into your yard. The flowers preceding the berries can be freshly cut for additional placement and home decor.

The experts at Edgefield Plant & Stone Center in Greensboro, NC, are passionate about their plants. With more than 30 years of experience, they’ve helped savvy gardeners and novices in the Triad Area create the landscape design of their dreams. From creative stonework lined with blooming trees to flourishing garden designs, let the creative team help you turn your landscape into a garden destination. Visit their website for information on services, or call (336) 662-0081 to speak with a knowledgeable staff member.