Native Plants
Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?
A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.
Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
rate this answer
Tuesday - May 25, 2010
From: Lovettsville, VA
Region: Mid-Atlantic
Topic: Wildlife Gardens
Title: Plants for bird garden in Virginia
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
I am expanding on a bird attracting garden and would like to know what plants to plant. It is a shade to partial sun area, in an approx. 9' circle, both small shrubs and flowers would be nice.ANSWER:
Here are some plants native to Virginia that attract birds and do well in shade or part shade.
Herbaceous Plants:
Aquilegia canadensis (red columbine)
Asclepias tuberosa (butterfly milkweed)
Comptonia peregrina (sweet fern)
Lobelia cardinalis (cardinalflower)
Capsicum annuum var. glabriusculum (cayenne pepper)
Small Shrubs:
Symphoricarpos orbiculatus (coralberry)
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (kinnikinnick)
Ceanothus herbaceus (Jersey tea)
Sedges and Grasses :
Carex cherokeensis (Cherokee sedge)
Carex pensylvanica (Pennsylvania sedge)
Chasmanthium latifolium (Inland sea oats)
Elymus canadensis (Canada wildrye)
You can visit our Virginia Recommended species page to see more possibilities.
Here are photos of the plants above from our Image Gallery:
More Wildlife Gardens Questions
Butterflies and larval hosts in Dallas County
June 19, 2007 - My class is starting a butterfly habitat at school. We have researched plants that attract butterflies, however we forgot to look for plants that feed the caterpillars and we want to provide the expe...
view the full question and answer
Colony of bees nesting in sycamore
July 06, 2010 - I have a very large, old sycamore tree that has recently become home to a colony of honey bees. They have taken up dwelling in a hollow limb of the tree about 25 feet off the ground. While this is gre...
view the full question and answer
Native plants for wildlife gardening in Illinois
May 29, 2006 - I live in Rockford, Illinois. Where/How can I find information on native flowers, plants, trees, grasses and animals, and other things I can plant on our property (about an acre) to provide a home fo...
view the full question and answer
Host plants to monarch butterflies in Starr County, TX
July 14, 2005 - I plant native larval and nectar plants that support the life cycle of the monarch butterfly here in the east; but, where can I find a list of native plants for my friends in the Tamaulipan Biotic P...
view the full question and answer
Need suggestions for plants for a bird/small wildlife refuge in Wichita Co, TX.
August 26, 2011 - With our continuing drought in North Texas, I'm planning to transform my small backyard into a bird/small wildlife "refuge". What types of native plants and grasses can I plant in dry, hot Wichita ...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |