Discover the Fun of Gardening

May 31, 2012   

Plant large hedges to give beautiful cardinals and other birds a nesting spot.

How wild is your garden? Do you have lots of birds, butterflies and other critters that love everything that you've planted. Hopefully so, but if you are looking for more ideas to help attract wildlife to your garden, then this newsletter is for you. Below are some tips for attracting the most wildlife to your yard. It can be as simple as planting yummy flowers, full of nectar like red firecracker plant or firebush, that hummingbirds and butterflies can't keep away from. Or just make sure that you have some larger shrubs planted that give beautiful birds like sparrows and cardinals a place to nest. Whatever you do, be sure to go wild in your garden.

Happy Gardening,
Kim, Joey and Mark
 

In This Issue
Gardening for Wildlife
 

Clearance Sales

Peach, Apple, Plum & Nectarine Trees
50% Off

All Fortuniana Grafted Roses
2 for $50

Daylilies
3 for $10
While Supplies Last

Forward to a Friend

Follow us on Facebook

Gardening for Wildlife

It's so peaceful to watch hummingbirds and butterflies flit about the garden in search of the best nectar. Or to watch a group of squirrels and a family of cardinals try to get the best position on the birdfeeder. Whatever your favorite critter is, how you plant and tend your garden can have an impact on what type of wildlife you'll find. Without plants that provide nectar, the beautiful butterflies would never stop by. So as you are planting and pruning this summer, think about how it may affect the wildlife that you enjoy watching. See our tips below or check out Kerby's information sheets on wildlife gardening and butterfly gardening for even more information. Just don't forget to go wild in your garden.

Provide a food source -  For butterflies and hummingbirds, red, tubular flowers are a favorite. Pentas, firebush, firecracker plant and coral honeysuckle have lots of nectar and are frequented by both butterflies and hummingbirds. For other wildlife, fruit and nut trees as well as berry bushes can provide some food, as long as you are willing to share. There are plenty of plants that aren't edible for people, but that birds and critters love like, hollies or simpson's stopper. Of course, for birds, it is hard to beat a birdfeeder for getting a good look at the variety of birds that come through our area.

Provide a water source - Food is important, but water is critical for all animals. A birdbath is a great way to give birds a place to clean themselves, get a little water and play around too. Ponds or fountains can be used too, as long as you don't put harmful chemicals in the water.

Limit lawn areas - A lawn provides no cover and no food or water, so it is for all practical purposes, useless to wildlife. Consider replacing grass with groundcovers, which are much easier to care for and provide wildlife with cover and shelter. Also plant different areas of shrubs and trees to break up lawn or groundcover areas
 

Provide cover - Many neighborhoods have very little area for cover, shelter and nesting. In your own garden, plant trees and large shrubs that over time will make great spots for birds to nest, butterflies to go into chrysalis and that will create a food source for a variety of wildlife. Even a simple privacy hedge can be a place that birds can nest in or other animals like bunnies and squirrels can use to keep out of the rain. Keep in mind, your yard doesn't have to look wild to have wildlife. Nectar plants and shelter plants can easily fit into a landscape design, creating both a garden of beauty as well as a place for your favorite wildlife to call home. Need help designing a wild garden? Come in and see us. We'll make sure that you unleash your wild side.  

If you are having trouble reading this newsletter, click here to view it in a browser

Store Hours
Open Seven Days a Week
Monday - Friday,  9:00am - 5:30pm
Sunday,  11:00am - 4:00pm