Explore Plants

Share

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

Search Smarty Plants
    
 

Can't find the answer in our existing FAQs, submit a question to Mr. Smarty Plants.
Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.

rate this answer
Not Yet Rated

Tuesday - May 25, 2010

From: Lovettsville, VA
Region: Mid-Atlantic
Topic: Wildlife Gardens
Title: Plants for bird garden in Virginia
Answered by: Nan Hampton

QUESTION:

I am expanding on a bird attracting garden and would like to know what plants to plant. It is a shade to partial sun area, in an approx. 9' circle, both small shrubs and flowers would be nice.

ANSWER:

Here are some plants native to Virginia that attract birds and do well in shade or part shade.

Herbaceous Plants:

Aquilegia canadensis (red columbine)

Asclepias tuberosa (butterfly milkweed)

Comptonia peregrina (sweet fern)

Lobelia cardinalis (cardinalflower)

Capsicum annuum var. glabriusculum (cayenne pepper)

Small Shrubs:

Symphoricarpos orbiculatus (coralberry)

Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (kinnikinnick)

Ceanothus herbaceus (Jersey tea)

Sedges and Grasses :

Carex cherokeensis (Cherokee sedge)

Carex pensylvanica (Pennsylvania sedge)

Chasmanthium latifolium (Inland sea oats)

Elymus canadensis (Canada wildrye)

You can visit our Virginia Recommended species page to see more possibilities.

Here are photos of the plants above from our Image Gallery:

 

 

 

More Wildlife Gardens Questions

Memorial garden in Georgia
December 08, 2008 - I would like to plant a memorial garden in memory of my mother. She loved butterflies and bulbs blooming. Our backyard is shaded by large oaks and pines. A pool is located to the right, a large fire...
view the full question and answer

Chemical composition of native plants for birds
September 06, 2009 - I am looking for specific information on the biochemistry/nutrition of native plants as they relate to bird nutrition. ie. protein,fat,carbohydrate,vitamin etc found in northeast woody natives for a ...
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

Host plant for butterflies in North Carolina
March 27, 2008 - What is the best host plant for butterflies in North Carolina?
view the full question and answer

Shrubby options for a bird lover in New Jersey
September 07, 2011 - Could you please recommend a native shrub to NJ that grows to about 3-4 feet, is very low maintenance, does well in afternoon sun and is also something the birds will like? Thank you.
view the full question and answer

Smarty Plants's Facebook profile Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today.

Mr. Smarty Plants wants you to be his Facebook friend. Click the Facebook icon to add yourself to Mr. Smarty Plants list of friends.