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For many homeowners, the ideal backyard is one that looks beautiful and also attracts an abundance of local wildlife, from buzzing bumblebees to grazing deer. Discover how you can attract more local wildlife to your property this spring and summer with help from American Native Plants.
Provide Water
All wildlife needs water, and there are lots of ways that you can include it in your landscaping. The most visually interesting way would be with a pond or stream. Large and small animals will benefit from the fresh water source, and moving water is likely to be cleaner and mosquito free. If you don’t have that much room, a birdbath or even just a container of water is a good choice. Place the birdbath in the shade and remember to change the water often so mosquitoes cannot breed. You should also put a large stone in the water so that beneficial insects have something steady to land on when they need a drink.
Plant Native Plants
Local wildlife is going to be attracted to native plants because that is their natural food source. Add as many varieties as you can, and replace invasive species whenever possible, to attract the greatest amount of wildlife. Replace your lawn with a field of wildflowers or clusters of native vegetation of varying heights. Try to include both deciduous and evergreen varieties so there is shelter all year long. Minimize open space as much as possible, as it becomes a dangerous area that needs to be crossed, but consider adding small paths within the garden so you can enjoy watching the wildlife occasionally. Finally, plant vertically with native plants, like trumpet honeysuckle, as much as possible for additional shelter and food sources.
Let Nature Go
Letting some or all of your yard go a little wild is a great way to create shelter for various wildlife. If you have a grassy area that you want to keep, leave the border un-mowed to provide shelter for beneficial insects, which will also attract the local birds that eat them. If you have a dead tree that can be safely left standing (meaning if it did fall, it wouldn’t damage anything), do so and you will find that it becomes home to many birds like woodpeckers and the insects that they eat. When you trim trees and bushes, build a brush pile on and out-of-the-way edge, instead of throwing the scraps away. Ground-dwelling birds will use the pile for cover.
AMERICAN NATIVE PLANTS
Whether you’re looking to build a rain garden or beautify your property, American Native Plants can provide you with the right plants for the job. With an inventory of over 400,000 native trees, native shrubs, and herbaceous plants consider American Native Plants your one-stop shop for wholesale native plant needs.
Our nursery, conveniently located in Middle River, Maryland, is open year-round to accommodate your native plant needs. We are constantly updating and increasing our inventory to meet the demands of our customers.
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