5 berries that will make your garden a magnet for birds | Nature | News

Growing fruit-producing shrubs and trees is said to be a nearly foolproof method of attracting birds to your garden in preparation for winter. And if that’s your goal, you’ll be interested to know that certain fruits are preferred over others, and certain bird species show preferences, according to RSPB wildlife horticulture expert Adrian Thomas.

He explains: “Birds seem to particularly prefer red berries, but that doesn’t mean the more unusual colors should be avoided. Those that ripen to pink, white or yellow can often be mid-winter ones where birds are desperate for them, such as waxwings. Of course, there’s even a British bird named for its association with berries – the mistletoe thrush, which is fond of mistletoe.”

“The garden wouldn’t do without lots of fruit-bearing plants. It’s always exciting to see flocks of birds descending on them in a feeding frenzy, and if any of the feasting continues into winter, the chance to attract rudds, larks and even the rare waxwing is a winter treat for us too.”

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Various berries ripen at different times, which means with a little careful planning you can serve up a months-long feast, starting with Juneberries (Amelanchier lamarckii) and continuing into spring with ivy berries. Fruit-producing shrubs can be planted in borders or containers, while some varieties can be grown along trellises, walls and fences.

Five fruit-bearing climbers, shrubs and trees that Thomas thinks are essential in the garden

1. ivy

The fruits have a high oil content and ripen sequentially over a long period of time, lasting until spring. It is very important to ensure that the vines have access to light so that they bloom well and later bear fruit.

Growing tips: Ivy is one of the simplest plants to grow; It is not soil related (though common ivy grows better in alkaline soils) and can grow in both sun and shade, quickly covering difficult areas such as dry spots and anchoring the soil. Avoid placing it in an area that is constantly flooded with water.

2. Hawthorn

Red ‘hawks’ are a staple food for all common members of the countryside thrush family – blackbirds, song thrushes, mistle thrushes, rudds and voles. The highest consumption occurs from October to December. Autumn flowers also provide late nectar to insects.

Growing tips: You can grow it as a specimen tree or hedge in any garden soil in sun or partial shade. Stay away from permanently waterlogged soil, which can rot the roots. If you are creating a new hedge, plant bare-root hedge plants between October and February.

3. sacred

Remember that holly shrubs are either male or female and you will need a female variety to provide winter berries. You may also need to plant a male for pollination if there is not one nearby. Red berries are also the staple food of the thrush family and wood pigeons.

Growing tips: Hollies are fairly adaptable, not particular about soil type or location. All hollies can handle shade, although variegated varieties thrive better in sunlight. If you’re short on space, opt for a self-fertilizing plant that doesn’t need a partner to produce fruit, such as ‘JC Van Tol’.

4. Rowan

Besides the native mountain ash, many other garden varieties and cultivars are great for fruit production, including the pink-fruited Sorbus vilmorinii. Peak consumption for native mountain ash occurs in August, before winter visiting rudds and field robins arrive.

Growing tips: Once again, it is not picky, it thrives in the sun or partial shade, but aims to grow it in moderately fertile, humus-rich soil. Pruning is not necessary, although you can remove dead branches in winter. While some mountain ash trees, such as mountain ash, can grow to around six metres, smaller ones are also available, such as the yellow-fruited ‘Joseph Rock’, which is an ideal specimen tree reaching four meters in 10 years.

5. Bird cherry

The deep red berries of Prunus padus, a native tree of the northern half of the UK, mature to glossy black and are small enough for robins to eat, as well as smaller birds such as thrushes and thrushes.

Growing tips: Ideally, plant this deciduous tree in autumn in moderately fertile soil in full sun. It can grow up to 15m tall and almost as wide, so you will need a large garden although more compact varieties such as Prunus padus ‘Albertii’ are available.