Q. Can you recommend some shrubs that provide food for birds in the winter?
Answer
There are many shrubs, including natives, that will provide a wealth of edible fruit suitable for birds. These include:
Firethorn (Pyracantha coccinea)
Hackberry (Celtis occidentalis) - native
Hawthorn (Crataegus spp.) - some species native
Honeysuckle (Lonicera spp.) - some species native
Winterberry (Ilex verticillata) - native
Serviceberry, also known as shadbush (Amelanchier spp.) - native
Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster spp.)
American beautyberry (Callicarpa americana) and other beautyberries, including the Japanese species (C. japonica)
Chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa and A. arbutifolia) - native
Holly (evergreen species, such as Ilex aquifolium) - some species native
If you have room for small trees, consider mountain ash, dogwoods, and crabapples.
For tips on a variety of gardening topics, see our Plant Information Guides.
- Courtesy of NYBG Plant Information Service
