PLANTS FOR THE PECKISH
THE BEST BERRIES ELDER In late summer its flat white clusters of flowers turn into purple berries that are relished by starlings, robins, waxwings and many other garden songbirds.
COTONEASTER Laden with small, nutritious red berries from autumn onwards, cotoneaster is a popular choice with flying visitors such as blackbirds, thrushes and waxwings.
PYRACANTHA Bunches of red, orange or yellow berries provide an autumnal feast for finches, sparrows, starlings, blackcaps, song thrushes and robins (pictured below right). The spiny branches provide a safe haven for nesting, too. CHERRY LAUREL This handsome evergreen thrives in sheltered, partially shaded spots. And in autumn, birds flock to feed on its cherry-like red fruits, which turn a glossy black in maturity.
HOLLY The bright red berries on this dense evergreen are ripe by autumn, but birds such as redwings, blackbirds and song thrushes won’t feed on them until late winter.
HAWTHORN Ruby-red haws are the favourite berry of redwings, blackbirds and fieldfares. Its long, sharp thorns also offer protection for small birds such as finches, dunnocks and robins to fly in and out.
IVY When other natural food sources are scarce, ivy’s lateripening black berries are vital to thrushes, waxwings, starlings, jays, finches and blackbirds. Its flowers in autumn attract insects, which in turn provide food for robins and wrens.
GUELDER ROSE The soft berries on this native shrub ripen from November through to March, making the guelder rose more appealing to smaller birds including blackcaps, garden warblers and robins. SCRUMPTIOUS SEEDS SUNFLOWER The plentiful seeds, tightly packed at the centre of the flower, provide oil-rich nourishment for finches, long-tailed tits, and other seed-eating birds all year
round. POPPY Easy to grow from seed, poppies provide pollen for bees followed by a buffet for seedeating birds. FENNEL If left to flower, fennel produces pretty yellow blooms that attract bees and hoverflies, followed by aromatic seeds eaten by birds in autumn and winter. CORNFLOWER Finches, tits and sparrows will flock to feed on the seeds of this pretty flowering annual. ANGELICA Early flowering and rich in nectar, angelica is a vital food source for seed-eating birds in autumn. Early bees and hoverflies will also feed on its greeny-white flowerheads. TEASELS Goldfinches, sparrows and buntings all love to feast on the compact seedheads of this tall, striking plant.