Bird Feeders with Roots

I keep a file labeled "Bits & Pieces".  It's a mixture of odd pieces of information that I convince myself will be important to nurture my gardening obsession.  It also contains random words and phrases that I've found to be inspiring or creative.

Years ago I wrote  "bird feeders with roots" which referred to plants that develop seed heads that attract birds.

After the March snow had melted I observed birds scrambling and scratching through a large planting of Silver King, a tall variety of artemisia that had not been cut down in the fall.  From the length of time they stayed in the area, I assumed they had found a smorgasbord of artemisia seeds.

That was when the phrase, bird feeders with roots popped back into my head.  I decided then to make a spring resolution to plant more seed-bearing annuals and perennials this year.  Some seed-bearing annuals and perennials also offer the benefit of attracting insects that birds would appreciate being added to their dinner table.

Any daisy like flower such as coneflower (Echinacea), sunflowers, zinnias, marigolds and cosmos will attract seed-eating birds.  Calendula, cornflower (Centaurea cyanus), cosmos, and love-in-a-mist (Nigella damascene) are favored for attracting hummingbirds and butterflies with their offering of nectar in addition to the seed-bearing.

I do have plantings of seed-producing perennials that prefer full sun--bee balm (Monarda), black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta), gay feather (Liatris spicate), tickseed (Coreopsis),and coneflower (Echinacea).  I want to add some asters and definitely increase the size of the plantings of each variety to really be of feeding value.

Removing spent flowers will keep your plants blooming longer.  Keep deadheading some of the plants until they have reached the end of their bloom cycle then allow the seed heads to form.

Birds get thirsty and providing water can be as simple as putting out a saucer of water.  I use a ten inch poly plant saucer placed directly on the soil in an area I view from my favorite window.  I also have a proper birdbath that I can't see unless I am in the garden.

Take a look around your landscape and perhaps you will find an area to plant some "bird feeders with roots".

Check out the Gardening: Get Good At It  Perennial Weeds segment, Tuesday April 16 on KPOV 88.9FM "The Point" between 9-9:30 am