Choose plants that do “double duty”

It won’t be all that long before autumn returns to Northwest Ohio. It may seem too early to think about it, but after the intense heat of this summer, the cooler fall temperatures will be a refreshing change for our heat-exhausted plants.

Frequent watering is probably the most effective solution for high-temperature stress on plants. I have used heavy mulching as a way to protect plants in my gardens that are more sensitive to dryness and extremes of temperatures, however, as September and October move closer, it might be a good time to consider planting some perennials, shrubs and trees that will not only add beauty to your landscape but will also attract songbirds to your yard and provide food for them throughout the year.

Fall is an excellent time to plant many varieties plants and taking some time now to shop for these varieties will allow plenty of time to add them to your landscape as the weather turns cooler.

The following are 10 trees and shrubs that provide excellent food sources for birds:

1. Flowering crabapple “Malus hybrids” provides various sizes of small “apples” that remain on the tree many months and are enjoyed by various birds.

2. Creeping juniper “Juniperus horizontalis” – evergreen foliage provides protection through the year and small blue berries as a food source.

3. American holly “Ilex opaca.” Evergreen leaves last through the winter and the female plant has lots of red fruit.

4. Blackhaw viburnum “Viburnum prunifolium,” produces deep-blue berries in the fall.

5. Oregon grape holly “Mahonia aquifolium.” Evergreen foliage provides protection for birds in the winter and it produces clusters of blue berries in the late summer.

6. Chokecherry “Aronia xprunifolia” produces glossy, red fruit in the fall.

7. Smooth sumac “Rhus glabra” produces clusters of silky, red fruit.

8. Saskatoon serviceberry “Amelanchier alnifolia” produces deep purple fruit in the summer.

9. Black huckleberry “Gaylussachia baccata” produces purple berries in the fall.

10. Lowbush blueberry “Vaccinium angustifolium laevifolium” produces berries in the late summer.

Here are 10 perennials that are also excellent food sources for birds:
1. Switch grass “Panicum virgatum” ‘Heavy Metal’ provides seeds at the ends of stiff stems that hold through the winter.

2. Purple coneflower “Echinacea purpura” seeds in the winter.

3. Little bluestem “Schizachyrium scoparium” fluffy seed heads in the fall.

4. Brown-eyed Susan “Rudbeckia triloba” produces seeds summer to fall.

5. Anise hyssop “Agastache foeniculum” seeds in the winter.

6. Aster “Aster xfrikartii” seeds in late summer through the fall.

7. Black-eyed Susan “Rudbeckia fulgida” produces brown seed cones in late summer.

8. Coreopsis “Coreopsis sp” is a seed producer.

9. Bee Balm “Monarda.” Leave dried flower heads through the winter for seeds for birds.

10. Goldenrod “Solidago odora” produces fall and winter seed heads.

Including “bird-friendly” shrubs, trees and flowers in your landscape gives the double pleasure of the attractive features of the plants themselves and the delight of seeing and sharing your yard and gardens with some beautiful and entertaining feathered friends. It is well worth the effort and, with a little planning and planting now, very easy to do

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