PETS producing plants provide nectar, insects and fruit, while grasses, mulch, fallen leaves and small flowering plants support insects and seed-eating birds closer to the ground.
PETS producing plants provide nectar, insects and fruit, while grasses, mulch, fallen leaves and small flowering plants support insects and seed-eating birds closer to the ground.
At canopy level, consider trees such as tree fuchsia, karee, white stinkwood, wild olive, red milkwood, wild plum, water berry and wild peach. Tree fuchsia can attract sunbirds, whiteeyes and weavers, while acacia trees offer safe nesting spaces and attract insects that many birds feed on.
“ During winter, when natural food becomes scarce, even a simple feeder can make a meaningful difference.”
For the middle layer, Cape honeysuckle is a good choice for sunbirds. Natal plum, carnival bush, Cape leadwort and berryproducing shrubs will help bring insects, fruit-eaters and nectar-feeding birds into the garden.
At ground level, agapanthus, gazanias, wild iris, helichrysum and low-growing aloes can add colour while providing food sources. Seed-eating birds are attracted to grasses, grains and seed heads, so try leaving some dead flower heads on plants for as long as possible. Fallen leaves, logs and mulch also create a micro-habitat for worms, grubs and insects, which attract birds such as hoopoes, robin-chats and thrushes.
Offer extra energy when food is scarce
A bird feeder is one of the quickest ways to make your garden more inviting, especially while your plants and trees are still establishing.