Plants, birds, or a sustainable environment? Which do you favor?
You can favor all three with a native plant garden that welcomes avian life — and bees and butterflies, too.
Native plants are perfectly adapted to Southern California’s arid climate. They provide the nectar, berries, seeds, and shelter that native birds need, and they demand less water and maintenance than imported species.
So start planting, bird lovers, and unpack the binoculars!
California Native Plants to Attract Birds
Here’s a mix of trees, shrubs, and flowering plants to transform your garden into a bird sanctuary.
1. California Fuchsia (Epilobium canum)
- Why Birds Love It: Hummingbirds can’t resist the bright orange-red tubular flowers that bloom in late summer and fall.
- Care Tips: Plant in well-drained soil and full sun. Requires minimal watering once established.
Hummingbirds can’t resist the bright orange-red tubular flowers of California Fuchsia.
2. Toyon (Heteromeles arbutifolia)
- Why Birds Love It: Vibrant red berries are a winter feast for robins, waxwings, and cedar waxwings.
- Care Tips: Hardy and drought-resistant, Toyon thrives in full sun or partial shade.
Vibrant red Toyon berries are a winter feast for robins, waxwings, and cedar waxwings.
3. Black Sage (Salvia mellifera)
- Why Birds Love It: They snack on the seeds it produces and the insects it attracts. Birds and gardeners alike love its fragrant foliage.
- Care Tips: Plant in dry, sunny spots.
Birds feed on the seeds Black Sage produces and the insects it attracts.
4. Sugar Bush (Rhus ovata)
- Why Birds Love It: They feast on its small, reddish fruits. The plant offers excellent coverage.
- Care Tips: Flourishes in rocky soils with minimal water.
Sugar bush thrives in rocky soils with minimal water.
5. California Lilac (Ceanothus)
- Why Birds Love It: Bursting with tiny blue flowers, this shrub provides nectar and attracts insects for birds.
- Care Tips: Low maintenance, drought-tolerant, and thrives in full sun.
California Lilac bursts with tiny blue flowers and provides nectar for birds, which also feed on the insects lilac attracts.
6. Western Redbud (Cercis occidentalis)
- Why Birds Love It: Seeds are a treat for finches and quail, and its flowers attract pollinators.
- Care Tips: Needs well-draining soil and plenty of sunlight.
Western Redbud’s Seeds are a treat for finches and quail, and its flowers attract pollinators.
7. Manzanita (Arctostaphylos)
- Why Birds Love It: Thrushes and towhees enjoy its berries.
- Care Tips: Prefers full sun and minimal watering once established.
Manzanita prefers full sun and minimal watering once established.
8. Cottonwood Tree (Populus fremontii)
- Why Birds Love It: It shelters nesting birds like orioles and sparrows.
- Care Tips: Excellent for riparian zones, it thrives with consistent access to water.
The cottonwood tree flourishes in riparian zones with consistent access to water.
9. Hummingbird Sage (Salvia spathacea)
- Why Birds Love It: Hummingbirds flock to its brilliant magenta flowers.
- Care Tips: Grows well in shaded areas and tolerates clay soils.
Hummingbird Sage grows well in shaded areas and tolerates clay soils.
10. Golden Currant (Ribes aureum)
- Why Birds Love It: Birds feed on berries and find shelter in its branches.
- Care Tips: This deciduous shrub thrives in partial shade with moist soil.
Golden Currant berries feed the birds as they take shelter in its branches.
11. Coast Live Oak (Quercus agrifolia)
- Why Birds Love It: Acorns are a favorite seasonal food source for woodpeckers and jays.
- Care Tips: A quintessential California native, it needs plenty of space and grows best in full sun.
The acorns of the Coast Live Oak tree are a favorite seasonal food source for woodpeckers and jays.
12. Purple Sage (Salvia leucophylla)
- Why Birds Love It: Birds relish its seeds, and pollinators are drawn to its fragrant flowers.
- Care Tips: Does well on dry slopes and needs little care.
Purple Sage grows well on dry slopes and needs little care.
13. Elderberry (Sambucus nigra)
- Why Birds Love It: Clusters of berries serve as a feast for mockingbirds and thrushes.
- Care Tips: Prefers moist soil but is also drought-tolerant once established.
Elderberry fruits are a feast for mockingbirds and thrushes.
14. Indian Paintbrush (Castilleja)
- Why Birds Love It: Its brilliant red flowers are hummingbird magnets.
- Care Tips: Plant in well-drained soil. It pairs well with sagebrush and other natives.
Indian Paintbrush is a magnet for hummingbirds.
Additional Tips for Attracting Birds
To make your garden as bird-friendly as possible, consider the following:
- Provide water sources. Add birdbaths or fountains for drinking and bathing.
- Install birdhouses. Safe nesting sites encourage birds to take up residence.
- Avoid pesticides. Chemical-free gardens foster a healthy environment for birds and their prey.
- Plant in layers. Include a mix of trees, shrubs, and ground cover to mimic natural habitats.
FAQs: Plants That Attract Birds
Q: What time of year should I plant these native plants?
Fall is the best time to plant native species. Cooler weather and winter rains help establish roots.
Q: Are these plants drought-tolerant?
Yes, most listed plants are highly drought-resistant once established, making them ideal for California gardens.
Q: Will these plants attract other wildlife besides birds?
Many native plants also attract butterflies, bees, and other pollinators, enhancing your garden’s biodiversity.
Q: Do I need to fertilize native plants?
Native plants generally don’t need fertilizers, as they’re adapted to California’s soil conditions.
Q: How can I identify which birds are visiting my garden?
Use a bird field guide or apps like Merlin Bird ID to spot and identify different species.
Q: Should I prune these native plants?
Pruning requirements vary. Wait until after flowering to prune shrubs or trees, and keep dead material for birds seeking shelter or food.
Q: Do these plants grow in Northern California, too?
While some species prefer Southern California’s climate, many are also adaptable to Northern California.
Q: What’s a quick way to start a bird-friendly garden?
Begin with a mix of smaller shrubs like California Fuchsia and Black Sage, then expand to larger plants like Toyon and Live Oak as your garden grows.