Attracting Wildlife to Your Yard

Above photo is from the yard of our member Yvonne Newsome.

This page is a work in progress. Please return later for more information.

There is so much wildlife that we want and need to protect. Some we prize for their beauty, some are important to the pollination of the plants we love, and some eat pests we don’t want. To protect all of these, we need to create an environment for wildlife. One way to do this is to plant a diversity of native plants that help feed our native wildlife.  Choosing a variety of plants will help ensure your local fauna have an opportunity to find something that will please them. You may be more successful attracting wildlife if you make your yard a little wild with plants of different sizes, shapes, and heights.  And remember, Native plants are hardier than non-native species and require less maintenance once established, because they are adapted to local conditions.  For any type of native animal, it is important to reduce your use of herbicides and pesticides

For more information about specific wildlife, click links below:

Birds

Birds need food, water, nesting places, and shelter from predators. A variety of shrubs and trees will help provide the nesting location and shelter; plants with nectar, seeds, and/or berries will help provide food to many birds. Attracting insects will help fe ed other birds. Add a water source or birdbath and you will have plenty of birds to enjoy. More information about attracting birds is provided here and here.

Hummingbirds: Texas has both native and migrating hummingbirds. Hummers are known to prefer red and orange blossoms with tubular shapes. Make sure to have plants that bloom at different times of the year so you can appeal to the local beauties year around and the travelers as they go through.

For more information, click links below:

Butterflies

Butterflies and moths need plants for nectar, plants for their eggs and larvae (caterpillars), water, and places where they can have protection from the elements. The tricky part is a butterfly may need different plants for different stages of development. So, you might want to include a woody shrub where they can shelter when needed, a flowering plant for its nectar, a plant for the larval stage (which varies by species), and a some shallow water to attract the species of your choice. Also, consider the colors of your blooms. While butterflies might prefer reds, yellows, and oranges, moths are active at night and prefer whites and light blues and purples, which are easier to see in the dark.  

To view the award winning presentation “Gardening to Attract Butterflies”, by our member, Barbara Crum, click here. 

For more information, click links below:

Bees/Pollinators

When most people picture bees, they think of bee hives. In fact, most native bees are solitary and do not live in hives. But, whether they live in hives or in underground nests, your flowers need pollination and bees are important helpers with that. For more information about saving bees, read this bee information from the Humane Gardener. Texas A&M has a list of plants that attract bees.

To attract a variety of pollinators, you need to have flowers that bloom in different seasons (you probably want multi-season color anyway), have different bloom shapes and colors, and have some fragrance.

Small Mammals

When you have a garden, you naturally live side by side with the myriad creatures that call it their home.  These articles will help you get to know and understand these sometimes challenging visitors to the garden.