Members Login
Username 
 
Password 
    Remember Me  
Rossendale Birds Forum -> General Discussion -> Garden Birdy Plants/shrubs/small trees
Post Info TOPIC: Garden Birdy Plants/shrubs/small trees
mobanded


Status: Offline
Posts: 2
Date:
Garden Birdy Plants/shrubs/small trees
Permalink  
 

Hi.  I live in Rochdale and am interested in cultivating my garden further so as to attract more birds in total but specifically to give them a food source during the winter months.  I currently have one of these black metal pole type feeding arrangements and use hanging fat balls, containers with finely crushed peanuts, wild bird seed, and occasionally meal worms which I am trying to cultivate.  I also have various other feeders around the garden but use combinations of the same foods.

I get a reasonable assortment of regulars - starlings feeding on fatballs/peanuts; blue tits on finely shredded peanuts; two collared doves and sparrows on wildbird seed. Blackdirds on garden worms - I used to put out a apple every couple of days for them but they seem to have lost interest.  Occasional robins.

So, what is it I am after?  Well, I have a bare wall which is about 8 foot square.  It faces east or possibly east/north/east.  The south side of the wall runs up against a east/west or west/east running conifer hedge which is approximately 10 foot high, thereby restricting the sun availability.  The soil to be planted in gets flooded quite easily but I would not be averse to using a large container along the full length of the wall to accommodate whatever type of soild would be best.  Also, I would want to restrict growth to the size of the wall and would prune whenever neccesary.

I would appreciate advice on what type of plant, shrubs, small trees would be suitable to achieve my main goal of providing food for birds during winter. I am also open to using a combination of tubs/pots.

Sincerely
Maureen and Ed

-- Edited by mobanded at 14:50, 2007-04-25

-- Edited by mobanded at 15:03, 2007-04-25

__________________
JimOrmerod


Status: Offline
Posts: 504
Date:
Permalink  
 

Welcome to the forum, Maureen and Ed.

Your question sounds more suited to Gardeners Question Time but I'm sure someone may be able to advise.

Perhaps Ste Rush? I know he reads the forum but he also has his own website at http://www.wildrossendale.co.uk/ which you may find interesting.


-- Edited by JimOrmerod at 22:09, 2007-04-25

__________________
Jim Ormerod
Ste Rush


Status: Offline
Posts: 719
Date:
Permalink  
 

Hi Maureen and Ed

Sorry it has taken so long to reply and thanks for the mail Jim
It sounds like you have already given some thought to this project so I expect you may well have done a little study on the plants for use.

I think I would recommend Ivy as the number one plant to help on several counts inc providing nectar late in the year when nothing else really provides. It does not mind sun or shade, is very tolerant of the wet and when you consider the value of it's berries and nesting potential then it really is the best for a wall. For a little colour i would also plant a Clematis just for the colour it will give. The two will nicely tangle and can be cut back if it gets out of hand.

The raised bed is probably a good idea if water really is a problem.

A few plants I can recommend are as follows.
1) Mahonia aquafolium ( oregon Grape)
2) Pyracantha Firethorn
3)Elder ( more compact versions in black available, like black lace or beauty.)
4) Berberis darwinii ( smaller version is available named compactum)
5)Montain Ash ( various cultivars particularly good for berries for Thrushes etc))
6)Silver Birch ( Good for insect populations for Warblers etc
7) Budleia ( it's a must for wildlife and colour)
8)Guelder Rose ( Superb berries with a "compactum" version available) My favourite haedgerow plant.
9) Dogrose ( fantastic fragrance with hips)
10) Hawthorn.

It is commonly accepted that the darker the berry (purple and reds etc) the more sought after in general so this may be worth remembering.

Always get the single flowering varieties as the double can be sterile and often offer little value to insects visiting for nectar ( lots of red Hawthorn are double flowering so be aware)

If any more info is required it's no problem.

__________________
www.wildrossendale.blogspot.co.uk/

Go On...Go Wild!!
mobanded


Status: Offline
Posts: 2
Date:
Permalink  
 

Hi

Thanks to both of you for your valid contributions. We will take them into account.

Regards
Maureen and Ed

__________________
Page 1 of 1  sorted by
 
Quick Reply

Please log in to post quick replies.
Rossendale Birds Forum -> General Discussion -> Garden Birdy Plants/shrubs/small trees
Tweet this page Post to Digg Post to Del.icio.us