Gardens are living art, an ecosystem with many members. It’s you, the flora, AND the fauna which includes our feathery friends. As of lately, backyard birding is gaining momentum as a popular hobby for people of all ages. Plants that support our native birds are the cornerstone of a well-planted garden.

According to the Audubon Society, 389 (that’s 2/3 of) North American bird species are threatened by climate change. While climate change and conservation can feel really big and overwhelming, think about the things you can control – your environment, your yard, and your community. Major change starts with small movements.

Consider planting some of the plants below to support Minnesota native birds and their native landscapes.

Birds love the plum-colored berries of Amelanchier spp. Known for four-season interest, serviceberry have white showy flowers in the spring and brilliant orange and yellow fall color. Serviceberry is available in both a tree form, Amelanchier x grandiflora or 'Autumn Brilliance' and a more compact shrub form with multi-stems, Amelanchier alnifolia ‘Regent’. Both varieties prefer full sun and a well-draining, loamy soil - though they can tolerate sand and clay. Plant as a specimen or en masse screen in full sun. Berries are edible and delicious to humans too, but only if you can beat the birds!

A traditional and fuss-free garden standard that blooms later in the summer into fall. Rudbeckia are an amazing addition to cut flower arrangements. Sunflower and daisy-like, they have golden yellow flowers with black centers that cover dark green foliage. They tolerate heat, humidity, and clay soil. They also tolerate salt and are deer-resistant. Seed heads create winter interest, and are a food source for songbirds. Plant these varieties in full sun for late season color: 'Goldstrum', 'American Gold Rush', 'Little Goldstar', and 'Viette's Little Suzy' to name a few.

Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) is one of the best perennials to plant in sunny, hot, and dry locations, and provides consistent color throughout the summer months. Flower clusters are produced over compact, ferny, green foliage. They are excellent for cut flower arrangements both fresh and dried. Be sure to deadhead faded flowers regularly to promote continuous blooming. Trim back hard after the first flush of blooms if you'd prefer them to maintain a compact habit. Achillea do spread, so give them space. If they get too crowded, they are easily divided in the fall or early spring. Yarrow seed heads offer food and fuel to birds long into winter, as their sturdy stems stand up in even the tallest snow drift. They are also salt-tolerant and deer-resistant. Check out these sunshine-y selections: 'Desert Eve Yellow', 'Moonshine', and 'Strawberry Seduction'.

Bluestem is a MN native, ornamental bunchgrass with fine-textured foliage that forms very dense mounds. Slender blue-green stems reach at least three feet tall by September, and become a radiant mahogany-red with white, shining seed tufts in the fall. Most striking is this grass’ reddish-tan color in fall, persisting through winter snows. The seeds, fuzzy white at maturity, are of particular value to small birds in winter. Bluestem also provides nesting materials/structure for native bees. It is also deer-resistant. Try one of these splendid varieties available seasonally at Tonkadale: Big Bluestem, 'Blackhawk', Little Bluestem, 'Jazz', and 'Blue Heaven'.

The fruit of Viburnum is not edible to humans, but are an important food source for native songbirds. Many cultivars of Viburnum offer large, showy flower clusters and striking fall foliage making this a great shrub for four season interest. They will perform best when planted in full to partial sun. Check out these varieties: Compact Cranberry', 'All the Glitters', 'All that Glows', 'Blue Muffin', and 'Sparkler'.

Monarda produces a profusion of flowers atop mid-sized, very compact, upright plants from mid to late summer. Newer cultivars exhibit very good powdery mildew resistance. Bee balm is easy to grow and multiplies quickly. The sweet nectar of flowers attracts hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees to the garden. The aromatic foliage smells like mint when crushed, and is often used to flavor teas. Despite all this temptation, Monarda are deer-resistant. Try these juicy cultivars: 'Raspberry Wine', 'Coral Reef', and 'Balmy Purple'.

This grass is a perennial garden favorite. Its foliage turns a deep red over time, and the lacy seed heads have a pinkish hue. 'Shenandoah' grows 4-5 feet tall and about 18 inches wide. 'Northwinds' is a more compact variety with olive to blue-green foliage. Airy flower panicles produce showy seed heads which lend themselves to winter interest. Sturdy stems stay upright even under snow load, giving protection to wintering songbirds. They are a great option for erosion control, and grow well in partial to full sun.

• Download a birdwatching app. Check out the free app from the National Audubon Society where you can identify birds, listen to their sounds, keep track of the birds you see, and share photos with other bird watchers in the field.
• Plant other native varieties whenever possible. Cultivars are good, but native plants are better for supporting our local bird populations. After all, native plants and native birds were here first!
• Provide a clean water source. A birdbath, pond, waterfall, or stream provide space for birds to bathe and preen while providing a place for birds to take a break from the sweltering heat of summer.
• Supplement garden resources with bird feeders. Different species of birds have different preferences when it comes to feeder style, bird food, and placement of feeder. Check out All Seasons Wild Bird Store in Minnetonka, for all your feeder needs.
• Keep feeding during the winter, especially after your garden has been put to bed. Leave seed heads standing to provide winter interest and a food source for the birds that stick around. A high-quality bird seed can also provide a high energy food source to sustain energy needs and maintain fat reserves.
• Provide housing and nesting opportunities. If you are a gardener or have trees and shrubs in your landscape, you are already halfway there. White Spruce (Picea glauca) and Eastern White Pine (Pinus strobus) are wonderful providers of year-round shelter & cover, as well as buffets of seeds for crossbills, chickadees, and nuthatches. Think about which birds you would like to attract, and what types of habitat they prefer. Talk to your local bird store or birding group about which houses provide the best shelter and structure for your feathery favorites!