Native Plants
![](../_images/smarty_plants.gif)
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.
![](../_images/mr_smarty_plants_logo_web_200w.jpg)
rate this answer
![](../_images/star_00.gif)
Monday - July 04, 2011
From: Belton, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Wildlife Gardens
Title: Native Bird Feeding in Belton, TX
Answered by: Brigid & Larry Larson
QUESTION:
We recently bought a bird feeder and a huge bucket of non-native bird seed (I'm not sure if the whole seed mix is non-native, but I believe most of the mix is). The birds go through the whole bird feeder in about 3 days. It seems like such a waste to be feeding the birds non-native seeds, so I try to put some native seeds from our garden in it. Is there anybody that sells native seeds that are not expensive by the bucket loads? The birds love the feeder and I was also wondering if there was a mix of native seed that will attract a lot of birds all year round?ANSWER:
Mr Smarty Plants sympathizes with you, our bird feeder gets cleaned out about as fast. It looks like you have a pretty common question, but unfortunately, it also looks like the answer is “no”.
Here is a similar question from Arizona and another one is from California. Closer to home, here is how the Native Plant Society of Texas handled it. So, it looks like, at least for the bird feeder, about all that is out there is using the commercially cheap products. You could probably sort out some better products that use more seeds that are Native or close to it [I’m thinking the sunflower seeds, which the birds love!] but that's about it.
What we all recommend though, is that you review lists of native plants for the ones your birds love – and use that as a guide to planting around your house! That way, you get the birds to hang around and the birds get a good meal of native seed. The bird-feeding society recommends native plants, and this Wildflower Center article on Wildlife Gardening has a number of references for good plant mixes. You should compare those to the recommended species list for plants appropriate to the Belton area for the best results. For a little less work in choosing, our suppliers sometimes sell mixes for bird feeding. For instance, Native American Seed sells a mix called Hummers & Singers.
As you noted, these are expensive by the bucket load, but then the packet sized for planting is pretty workable.
From the Image Gallery
More Wildlife Gardens Questions
Schedule for pollen and nectar for bees in Austin
May 27, 2010 - For beekeeping in western Travis County (Cuernavaca at Bee Caves) I need to know what nectar and pollen is flowing when. I have asked my local beekeeping club, but they are in Blackland Prairie and d...
view the full question and answer
Native plants for East Texas school gardens
May 19, 2008 - I am a teacher in San Augustine, Texas (which is in the Eastern Pineywoods region). I have started an outdoor classroom/schoolyard habitat at our school. We are in the process of planning our plant ...
view the full question and answer
Will hybrid Tecoma stans attract hummingbirds from Glendale AZ
July 07, 2012 - We bought a bells of fire plant; would like to know if hummingbirds like them?
view the full question and answer
Native plants for butterflies and birds in a park in Lampasas, Texas
May 19, 2009 - There is an area along a creek in Lampasas, Texas that I want to establish as a butterfly and bird park. There are various native plants there now, but I want to add plants that are hosts for butterf...
view the full question and answer
Foundation plants for Albuquerque.
July 01, 2012 - Hello,
I live in Albuquerque. I am looking for some native/xeric low water usage plants for foundation plants for my home.
They will be foundation plants for a two story home that has a large ponde...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |