Outdoor Sanctuary Online Exclusive
By: Stacy Gusek
Giant Red Zinnia
Hummingbird
Beautify your backyard while attracting birds, butterflies and more. This extensive list of plants and flowers is divided by season to make planning your outdoor oasis easier. Click here for the corresponding June article.
SPRING
Zinnia. Annual flower, reaching 3-4 feet. Colorful flowers in sun or partial shade. Good, rich soil and regular watering for optimal results. Attracts: Butterflies, Hummingbirds & Wild Birds. Species such as: Chipping Sparrow, American Goldfinch, Fox Sparrow, House Finch, Purple Finch, Dark-eyed Junco, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow and White-throated Sparrow.
Crossvine (Bignonia Capreolata) - Native Plant*
A fast growing, evergreen vine that thrives as a groundcover or climbing vine, space 3'-6' apart. The tangerine colored trumpet flowers appear in spring, die back in winter. Prefers full sun, blooms often and drought tolerant once established. Attracts: Hummingbirds.
Serviceberry (Amelanchier Arborea) - Native Plant*
This multi-stemmed small tree (or large shrub) reaches 15-25' in height. White flowers appear in early spring about the time leaves are emerging. Performs well in many types of soil. Attracts: Wild Birds. Species such as: Eastern Phoebe, Northern Flicker, Black-capped Chickadee, Mockingbird, Northern Cardinal, Rufous-sided Towhee, Wood Thrush, Pileated Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Cedar Waxwing, Eastern Bluebird, Mountain Bluebird, Red-eyed Vireo, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Tufted Titmouse, Brown Thrasher, Sage Thrasher and Hermit Thrush.
Lantana. Perennial, reaching 3 feet tall. Deer resistant. Prefers sun, good in any soil and easy to grow. Deadhead if you have time; shearing brings forth new color. Before new spring growth appears, trim dead sticks to within 4-5 inches from the ground. Attracts: Butterflies & Hummingbirds. Nectar plant for: Julia, Giant Swallowtail, Tiger Swallowtail, Anise Swallowtail, Spicebush Swallowtail, Buckeye, Cloudless Sulphur, Monarch, Gulf Fritillary.
Scarlet Sage (Salvia Coccinea) Perennial to reaching 2 feet, space 24-30 inches apart. Prefers sun to part sun; blooms spring to fall with beautiful, brilliant red tubular flowers. Drought tolerant and heat tolerant. Attracts: Butterflies & Hummingbirds.
Agarito (Berberis Trifoliolate). Evergreen shrub to 10' with 6' spread, space 3-4' apart. Good in sun or shade and most soils. Dark green foliage, fragrant flowers on new growth, long bloom season and can be pruned anytime. Attracts: Butterflies, Hummingbirds & Bees.
SUMMER
American Beautyberry (Callicarpa Americana) - Native Plant*
Reaches 3-8 feet, may be pruned severely to encourage thicker growth or left to grow taller. Prefers semi-sun or morning sun, well-drained soil and afternoon shade. The shrub's beauty is its long arching branches and abundant, spectacular violet fruits. Light lavender-pink flowers appear on new growth from June into August. The leaves will drop in early fall. Attracts: Wild Birds. Species such as: Painted Buntings, Mockingbirds, House Finches, Gray Catbirds, Brown Thrashers, Northern Bobwhite, Northern Cardinals, American Robins.
Blue Queen Salvia (Salvia superb). Perennial reaching 3 feet tall, space 2 feet apart. Blooms summer, drought and heat tolerant. Attracts: Butterflies & Hummingbirds.
Coreopsis (Coreopsis Lanceolate). Perennial reaching 2 feet tall, space 12-18 inches apart. Deer resistant. Blooms from May to July. Prefers sun to partial shade, well-aerated sandy soil, regular but light watering. Deadhead (remove spent blooms) for continuous flowering. Attracts: Butterflies & Wild Birds. Nectar plant for: Buckeye, Silver-Spotted Skipper, American Painted Lady.
Sedum. Perennial reaching 2 feet high, space 12-18 inches apart. "Autumn joy" with blooms summer to fall; drought and heat tolerant. Attracts: Butterflies and Hummingbirds.
Butterfly Bush (Buddleia Davidii). Deciduous perennial reaching 6 feet, trimmed. Prefers sun, rich soil and good drainage. Blooms on new growth from summer through fall; dies back in winter. Trim to 10 inches before spring growth, deadhead to promote larger blooms. Attracts: Butterflies. Nectar plant for: Anise Swallowtail, Cloudless Sulphur, Queen, Giant Swallowtail, Monarch, Fiery Skipper, Painted Lady, Spicebush Swallowtail, Tiger Swallowtail, Gulf Fritillary.
FALL
Purple Coneflower (E. Purpurea / Rudbeckia Purpurea). Perennial reaching 3 feet tall, space 18 inches apart. Prefers six or more hours of sun, tolerates heat and drought, fertilize with spring growth. Deadhead to encourage blooms all summer long, divide every four years. At the end of the season, leave flowers and stems to die back, as this will attract birds in the fall. Attracts: Butterflies and Wild Birds.
Elaeagnus (Elaeagnus pungens). Shrub growing 8-12 feet tall and wide, adding a silvery hue to the garden. Thrives in a sunny location, and will get very large. Tolerates poor conditions like heat, drought and partial shade; prune often to shape or let it go naturally. Attracts: Wild Birds. Birds come for the fruit and will use the shrub to nest in.
WINTER
Yaupon Holly (Ilex vomitoria)- Native Plant*
Evergreen shrub; space 4-6 feet apart, grows in almost any soil. Deer resistant. Beautiful year round foliage and winter berries. Attracts: Wild Birds.
Resources:
Sawnee Mtn. Preserve - Native Garden
2500 Bettis-Tribble Gap Rd, Cumming, GA 30040
Hours: M-F 8:30am - 5pm / Sat 10am - 5pm / Sun 1pm - 5pm
Forsyth County Master Gardeners
http://fcmgardener.web.officelive.com/gardens.aspx | 770-887-2418
UGA Cooperative Extension - Forsyth County Office
www.ugaextension.com/forsyth | 770-887-2418
