How to Create a Wildlife-Friendly Garden
Learn what you need to know about planning a landscape that supports birds, bees, butterflies and more
Your garden can be more than a place where you grow the plants you love. It also can attract birds, bees, butterflies and other wildlife. And that’s a good thing. Not only will you be able to enjoy their presence, but they’ll also keep your yard’s ecosystem in balance and help eliminate unwanted pests and plants. The same features that bring in the local wildlife will make your garden a year-round draw for people as well.
Susan Friedman Landscape Architecture
2. Gather Ideas and Refine Your Style
Many people envision wildlife-friendly landscapes as loose, rambling cottage-style gardens. However, wildlife-friendly features can fit with almost any garden style.
Start by creating a Houzz ideabook to save photos of landscapes you love. Focus on both the overall look and small details you admire. Follow the same approach when it’s time to select plants. A surprisingly broad range of forms and colors is available.
When you have a good collection of images, review what you’ve gathered and figure out what you like about each landscape and detail. It will help you and your designer move forward with your project.
How to Refine Your Landscape Design Style
2. Gather Ideas and Refine Your Style
Many people envision wildlife-friendly landscapes as loose, rambling cottage-style gardens. However, wildlife-friendly features can fit with almost any garden style.
Start by creating a Houzz ideabook to save photos of landscapes you love. Focus on both the overall look and small details you admire. Follow the same approach when it’s time to select plants. A surprisingly broad range of forms and colors is available.
When you have a good collection of images, review what you’ve gathered and figure out what you like about each landscape and detail. It will help you and your designer move forward with your project.
How to Refine Your Landscape Design Style
Roxy Designs
3. Find a Professional
A landscape pro can help you make your garden dream a reality. Look for a professional who promotes sustainable and wildlife-friendly gardening and is knowledgable on the topic. Local nurseries, master gardener groups and local cooperative extension offices also can help get you started on transforming your yard.
Find a landscape designer on Houzz
3. Find a Professional
A landscape pro can help you make your garden dream a reality. Look for a professional who promotes sustainable and wildlife-friendly gardening and is knowledgable on the topic. Local nurseries, master gardener groups and local cooperative extension offices also can help get you started on transforming your yard.
Find a landscape designer on Houzz
FormLA Landscaping
4. Provide Food
Providing a variety of food sources is the first step in creating a wildlife-friendly garden. Welcome birds, bees, butterflies and other beneficial insects, as well as small mammals, with a mix of plant types. Plants that produce seeds and fruits are good for attracting wildlife. Consider adding nectar and pollen-rich plants as well. Trees can provide sap for birds. Caterpillars will nibble on the foliage of a number of plants.
Including native plants is a great way to add food sources for animals, as these plants have evolved to support local wildlife. Check a nearby nursery for these and other plants that are labeled bird-, bee-, butterfly- or pollinator-friendly. And talk to staffers; they’re usually very knowledgeable about the best choices for the local area.
Seek out a local landscape designer who specializes in native plants for advice and design help. In addition, local master gardener groups and cooperative extension offices often provide lists of good choices for the local area. You also can chat with your neighbors to see what they’ve found to be popular with the critters in their yards.
Learn more about growing native plants
4. Provide Food
Providing a variety of food sources is the first step in creating a wildlife-friendly garden. Welcome birds, bees, butterflies and other beneficial insects, as well as small mammals, with a mix of plant types. Plants that produce seeds and fruits are good for attracting wildlife. Consider adding nectar and pollen-rich plants as well. Trees can provide sap for birds. Caterpillars will nibble on the foliage of a number of plants.
Including native plants is a great way to add food sources for animals, as these plants have evolved to support local wildlife. Check a nearby nursery for these and other plants that are labeled bird-, bee-, butterfly- or pollinator-friendly. And talk to staffers; they’re usually very knowledgeable about the best choices for the local area.
Seek out a local landscape designer who specializes in native plants for advice and design help. In addition, local master gardener groups and cooperative extension offices often provide lists of good choices for the local area. You also can chat with your neighbors to see what they’ve found to be popular with the critters in their yards.
Learn more about growing native plants
A Blade of Grass
Supplement plants with feeders. Nurseries, bird stores and online retailers carry hummingbird and butterfly feeders, as well as bird feeders that can hold both seeds and suet. Place them where the animals will feel safe but where you can still enjoy watching the scene.
Bird feeders also can attract squirrels, mice and rats. Baffles and weighted perches can help keep the birdseed available to the birds and out of the mouths of other creatures.
Shop for bird feeders on Houzz
Supplement plants with feeders. Nurseries, bird stores and online retailers carry hummingbird and butterfly feeders, as well as bird feeders that can hold both seeds and suet. Place them where the animals will feel safe but where you can still enjoy watching the scene.
Bird feeders also can attract squirrels, mice and rats. Baffles and weighted perches can help keep the birdseed available to the birds and out of the mouths of other creatures.
Shop for bird feeders on Houzz
Urbafloria
5. Add Water
A place where critters can drink — maybe even a bath — also is necessary. Birdbaths will attract a surprising number of birds. Place them where they won’t get too much sun, which will overheat the water in summer, and where they’ll be safe from predators, such as cats. Clean them regularly. Lining the bottom of the birdbath with pebbles will provide additional perches for bathing birds. A solar-powered bubbler will keep the water aerated and moving.
Butterflies prefer mud puddles or shallow trays filled with water. A bubble fountain, such as the one pictured here, is another popular butterfly-attracting option. It creates a constant flow of water across the stone, which then is captured underground and recirculated by a hidden pump. It’s a charming spot for butterflies and people.
5. Add Water
A place where critters can drink — maybe even a bath — also is necessary. Birdbaths will attract a surprising number of birds. Place them where they won’t get too much sun, which will overheat the water in summer, and where they’ll be safe from predators, such as cats. Clean them regularly. Lining the bottom of the birdbath with pebbles will provide additional perches for bathing birds. A solar-powered bubbler will keep the water aerated and moving.
Butterflies prefer mud puddles or shallow trays filled with water. A bubble fountain, such as the one pictured here, is another popular butterfly-attracting option. It creates a constant flow of water across the stone, which then is captured underground and recirculated by a hidden pump. It’s a charming spot for butterflies and people.
Garden Nest Residential Landscape
Turn a natural wet spot in your yard into a miniature wetland for frogs, salamanders and lizards. Or take it further with a garden pool or pond. A water garden in a trough or a geometric pond could suit a smaller space or a more contemporary garden.
Garden ponds, especially if filled with fish, also will attract predators ranging from marauding raccoons to local birds of prey (which also might prey on smaller birds). Placing netting over the pond will help protect the fish.
Turn a natural wet spot in your yard into a miniature wetland for frogs, salamanders and lizards. Or take it further with a garden pool or pond. A water garden in a trough or a geometric pond could suit a smaller space or a more contemporary garden.
Garden ponds, especially if filled with fish, also will attract predators ranging from marauding raccoons to local birds of prey (which also might prey on smaller birds). Placing netting over the pond will help protect the fish.
FormLA Landscaping
A rain garden, which captures runoff and returns it to the soil, can provide a drinking spot for wildlife. Visiting critters also will welcome the rocks, pebbles and foliage.
If you have a natural spring or pond on your property, highlight that in your design as a spot for drawing in both people and wildlife.
A rain garden, which captures runoff and returns it to the soil, can provide a drinking spot for wildlife. Visiting critters also will welcome the rocks, pebbles and foliage.
If you have a natural spring or pond on your property, highlight that in your design as a spot for drawing in both people and wildlife.
A J Miller Landscape Architecture
6. Create Protection
You’ll also want to provide shelter from the elements and predators. One way to do this is to mass plants to create hiding places among foliage and flowers.
Loose plant groupings often are found in cottage-style gardens, but you can create the same effect with more structured, linear borders. You’ll create a lush garden look with the tightly packed plants, even in a small space, and you’ll also cut down on weeding.
6. Create Protection
You’ll also want to provide shelter from the elements and predators. One way to do this is to mass plants to create hiding places among foliage and flowers.
Loose plant groupings often are found in cottage-style gardens, but you can create the same effect with more structured, linear borders. You’ll create a lush garden look with the tightly packed plants, even in a small space, and you’ll also cut down on weeding.
Wentworth Landscapes
Meadows and prairies also are natural wildlife habitats. If you don’t want to turn all of your garden into a meadow, consider installing plants in sweeps or along the borders.
Meadows and prairies also are natural wildlife habitats. If you don’t want to turn all of your garden into a meadow, consider installing plants in sweeps or along the borders.
Verdance Landscape Architecture
Smaller species of wildlife, including insects, can find shelter beneath even low-growing ground covers and trailing vines.
Shrubs and mature trees provide protection for a variety of wildlife. Evergreen trees, such as firs and hollies, can be especially useful during winter.
Smaller species of wildlife, including insects, can find shelter beneath even low-growing ground covers and trailing vines.
Shrubs and mature trees provide protection for a variety of wildlife. Evergreen trees, such as firs and hollies, can be especially useful during winter.
Wild by Design
Rocks and rocky outcroppings, especially when teamed with shrubs, create good shelters for many birds and mammals. For a more modern look, consider adding a gabion wall filled with wood or a mixture of wood and rocks.
Rocks and rocky outcroppings, especially when teamed with shrubs, create good shelters for many birds and mammals. For a more modern look, consider adding a gabion wall filled with wood or a mixture of wood and rocks.
The Cousins
7. Next Steps
Once you have the basics, it’s time to move on to the finishing touches.
Encourage families. Spots that provide protection also can serve as places where animals can raise their young. Provide additional housing with nesting boxes, birdhouses, bee houses and butterfly houses.
If you have a butterfly house, plant host plants for caterpillars nearby. Milkweed (Asclepias spp.) is the most well-known host plant, but you’ll need to plant species that are native to your region. Other favorite caterpillar host plants include asters (Aster spp.), buckwheats (Eriogonum spp.), dill (Anethum graveolens), hollyhock (Alcea rosea, Zone 3; find your zone) and passionflowers (Passiflora spp.).
Ash (Fraxinus spp.), birch (Betula spp.), cherry (Prunus spp.), willow (Salix spp.) and tulip (Liriodendron tulipifera, zones 4 to 9) trees are larval food sources for the tiger swallowtail.
7. Next Steps
Once you have the basics, it’s time to move on to the finishing touches.
Encourage families. Spots that provide protection also can serve as places where animals can raise their young. Provide additional housing with nesting boxes, birdhouses, bee houses and butterfly houses.
If you have a butterfly house, plant host plants for caterpillars nearby. Milkweed (Asclepias spp.) is the most well-known host plant, but you’ll need to plant species that are native to your region. Other favorite caterpillar host plants include asters (Aster spp.), buckwheats (Eriogonum spp.), dill (Anethum graveolens), hollyhock (Alcea rosea, Zone 3; find your zone) and passionflowers (Passiflora spp.).
Ash (Fraxinus spp.), birch (Betula spp.), cherry (Prunus spp.), willow (Salix spp.) and tulip (Liriodendron tulipifera, zones 4 to 9) trees are larval food sources for the tiger swallowtail.
Larkspur Design
Focus on diversity. A variety of plant types and species should be your goal. Plants with a mix of bloom times will attract and nourish a wider range of wildlife throughout the year.
Mix annuals, perennials and shrubs with grasses, ground covers and herbs. Pamper mature trees you already have or nurture new ones that will provide food and shelter.
Focus on diversity. A variety of plant types and species should be your goal. Plants with a mix of bloom times will attract and nourish a wider range of wildlife throughout the year.
Mix annuals, perennials and shrubs with grasses, ground covers and herbs. Pamper mature trees you already have or nurture new ones that will provide food and shelter.
AIA Fort Worth
Plan for every season. Don’t forget about fall and winter when creating your garden.
Some favorite native plants with winter fruits and berries are bayberry (Myrica pensylvanica, zones 3 to 7), purple chokeberry (Aronia x prunifolia, zones 4 to 7), staghorn sumac (Rhus typhina, zones 3 to 8), viburnum (Viburnum spp.) and the aptly named winterberry (Ilex verticillata, zones 3 to 9).
Plan for every season. Don’t forget about fall and winter when creating your garden.
Some favorite native plants with winter fruits and berries are bayberry (Myrica pensylvanica, zones 3 to 7), purple chokeberry (Aronia x prunifolia, zones 4 to 7), staghorn sumac (Rhus typhina, zones 3 to 8), viburnum (Viburnum spp.) and the aptly named winterberry (Ilex verticillata, zones 3 to 9).
Harry Holding Studio
Trees with seeds, such as maples (Acer spp.) and spruces (Pilea spp.), can provide a winter feast. Let perennials such as coneflowers (Echinacea spp.), coreopsis (Coreopsis spp.) and penstemons (Penstemon spp.) go to seed as a treat for birds and insects.
Evergreens, such as arborvitaes (Thuja spp.), hemlocks (Tsuga spp.), junipers (Juniperus spp.), pines (Pinus spp.) and spruces (Picea spp.) can provide shelter for birds, insects and small animals. You also can put up nesting boxes for shelter.
Trees with seeds, such as maples (Acer spp.) and spruces (Pilea spp.), can provide a winter feast. Let perennials such as coneflowers (Echinacea spp.), coreopsis (Coreopsis spp.) and penstemons (Penstemon spp.) go to seed as a treat for birds and insects.
Evergreens, such as arborvitaes (Thuja spp.), hemlocks (Tsuga spp.), junipers (Juniperus spp.), pines (Pinus spp.) and spruces (Picea spp.) can provide shelter for birds, insects and small animals. You also can put up nesting boxes for shelter.
Couronne
Fill bird feeders with food that will attract local nonmigratory birds. You also might want to put out some food for local animals that might otherwise struggle during the winter.
Regularly break the ice on the tops of your birdbaths or add a heating element to keep the water warm.
Fill bird feeders with food that will attract local nonmigratory birds. You also might want to put out some food for local animals that might otherwise struggle during the winter.
Regularly break the ice on the tops of your birdbaths or add a heating element to keep the water warm.
Stroke of Nature Landscape Design
Add wildlife-friendly lighting. Too much light at night disrupts animals’ natural wake-sleep cycles and contributes to light pollution.
Rather than flooding your yard with light, you can thoughtfully choose fixtures and locations that will illuminate what’s needed while still providing the cover of darkness for birds and animals. (Reducing the amount of light during the night hours often is referred to as “dark sky lighting.")
Landscape Lighting That Doesn’t Wake the Birds
Add wildlife-friendly lighting. Too much light at night disrupts animals’ natural wake-sleep cycles and contributes to light pollution.
Rather than flooding your yard with light, you can thoughtfully choose fixtures and locations that will illuminate what’s needed while still providing the cover of darkness for birds and animals. (Reducing the amount of light during the night hours often is referred to as “dark sky lighting.")
Landscape Lighting That Doesn’t Wake the Birds
Holmes Fine Gardens
Adjust your maintenance schedule. Consider letting things go a bit wild, rather than maintaining a completely pristine yard. Foliage provides resting spots for birds and cover for every wild creature that ventures into the garden.
Twigs, fallen branches, thickets and brambles also are natural hiding spots. To help things along, create some wood or brush piles, or leave dead branches or snags in unobtrusive areas of the garden. They’ll provide nooks and crannies for wildlife.
Letting plants go to seed or die back without pruning also will create havens and, for some birds and animals, food sources during the colder months.
Adjust your maintenance schedule. Consider letting things go a bit wild, rather than maintaining a completely pristine yard. Foliage provides resting spots for birds and cover for every wild creature that ventures into the garden.
Twigs, fallen branches, thickets and brambles also are natural hiding spots. To help things along, create some wood or brush piles, or leave dead branches or snags in unobtrusive areas of the garden. They’ll provide nooks and crannies for wildlife.
Letting plants go to seed or die back without pruning also will create havens and, for some birds and animals, food sources during the colder months.
Tranquill Gardens
Make “conservation” and “sustainability” your watchwords. Conservation and sustainability practices go hand in hand with a wildlife-friendly garden. Start with water-wise gardening practices, which are recommended even for gardens in areas without a dry climate.
15 Ways to Create a Beautiful Water-Wise Landscape
Make “conservation” and “sustainability” your watchwords. Conservation and sustainability practices go hand in hand with a wildlife-friendly garden. Start with water-wise gardening practices, which are recommended even for gardens in areas without a dry climate.
15 Ways to Create a Beautiful Water-Wise Landscape
J & S Landscape
Consider replacing your lawn with wildlife-friendly plants. A well-designed, lawn-free yard will increase your yard’s biodiversity. It also can provide plenty of places for relaxing and playing, and maybe even cut down on maintenance.
7 Landscape Design Ideas to Replace a Traditional Lawn
Consider replacing your lawn with wildlife-friendly plants. A well-designed, lawn-free yard will increase your yard’s biodiversity. It also can provide plenty of places for relaxing and playing, and maybe even cut down on maintenance.
7 Landscape Design Ideas to Replace a Traditional Lawn
Designscapes Colorado
Other sustainable practices include composting, if practicable, and adopting the principles of integrated pest management (IPM). Eliminate added chemicals by using natural fertilizers and pest repellants.
Other sustainable practices include composting, if practicable, and adopting the principles of integrated pest management (IPM). Eliminate added chemicals by using natural fertilizers and pest repellants.
Refugia Landscape Design/Build
Getting Your Garden Wildlife-Certified
Your garden also can become certified as a wildlife habitat by the National Wildlife Federation; the organization’s website includes a checklist of steps to take. It also has a wealth of information on wildlife-friendly gardening techniques and native plant collections as well as other resources.
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Getting Your Garden Wildlife-Certified
Your garden also can become certified as a wildlife habitat by the National Wildlife Federation; the organization’s website includes a checklist of steps to take. It also has a wealth of information on wildlife-friendly gardening techniques and native plant collections as well as other resources.
More on Houzz
Read more landscape design stories
Get landscape design ideas
Find a landscape designer or architect
Shop for outdoor products
1. Determine Your Garden Goals
Think about the type of garden you want before you start planting and adding other wildlife-attracting features. Are you interested primarily in welcoming birds and butterflies? Maybe you’d like to entice beneficial insects, especially if you’re growing fruits and vegetables. Are you open to coexisting with small animals, such as squirrels, rabbits and snakes?
The answers to these questions will help guide your design. Food, water and protection are the essential requirements for any and all wildlife, and will anchor your design.