Winter landscape- It’s for the birds!

 The winter landscape in the north can be dull, dreary, and empty without the lush vegetation of summer, but it doesn’t have to be that way.  In fact, if collectively, urban and suburbanites decided to devote more space to complex vegetation instead of cement we would have more winter interest, healthier environments to live in, and as a bonus, better habitat for winter birds.

Typically, many of us cut down everything in our perennial beds in the fall and wrap up some of our less hardy evergreens with burlap and stakes- not the prettiest winter landscape!

But many perennials have beautiful seedpods and stems that are sturdy enough to remain standing throughout the winter.  They not only look beautiful wrapped in in ice on a winter morning, they provide winter birds with shelter and seeds.

A common suburban look is lots of grass, broken up by a sidewalk and another strip of grass, and I know before I suggest this, that many towns have ordinances that require

this look, but it’s worth thinking about and exploring the reasons for changing it.

As urban and suburban sprawl continues unabated all over our country, more and more space for birds and animals is compromised. So I’m suggesting that some of the dead grass space could be better utilized with layers of trees, bushes, and perennial plants.

In addition to providing better air quality, erosion control, and drought damage to our yards, we would also be creating a lush winter landscape and a better environment for birds and animals that are trying to share our space.

Winter birds are tough little creatures and it’s amazing to me that such tiny little things can survive harsh winds and subzero temperatures, but they can.  They do need cover, though.

They depend on evergreens and dense bushes for protection from wind and snowstorms, and also as security from predators, something to think about when you are hanging up a bird feeder or a birdhouse. You might want it in the middle of a wide, open space, but the birds would much prefer some nearby shrubs that they can dash to if there is a need.

Shrubs can provide food, shelter, and a winter landscape that is anything but dull to look at.

If you are committed to creating a more natural look to your yard, I applaud you, but do your research and approach the situation slowly.  Unlike smaller perennials, shrubs and bushes are more likely to become a permanent part of your landscape.  So don’t just plunk something somewhere and think you’ve done all you need to do.

First you need to research the growing requirements and think carefully where a shrub would do the most good.  One good place to start is with native plants.

There are many gorgeous trees and shrubs out there, but sometimes they are invasive and what you originally thought was a good idea turns into a nightmare.

An example of such a plant is oriental bittersweet. Oriental bittersweet is beautiful, definitely livens up the winter landscape and birds love it!  So what’s the problem, you ask?

It grows easily from seeds scattered by birds, once established it is almost impossible to get rid of, and its roots are a tangled mess that choke out other plants.  A much better alternative is American bittersweet.

Some good choices to improve your winter landscape and provide food and shelter for birds are serviceberry (Amelanchier spp.), and red-berried winterberry. (“Sprite” is a dwarf version that I want for my smallish yard). Winterberry needs a male pollinator to produce fruit so make sure you get Winterberry “Jim Dandy, too!”

Other great choices to ramp up your winter landscape and offer food and shelter include all kinds of conifers, Eastern Red Cedar, Staghorn Sumac, Rockspray Cotoneaster, American Cranberry Bush Viburnum, Coralberry, and Black Chokecherry.  These are all shrubs that would thrive in my growing zone 5. You would have to do research to verify that these would be good shrubs to add to your environment.

If you are currently looking at a stretch on frozen grass with out much snow cover, and you’ve resolved to change the picture before many more winters drag by, start researching native trees, shrubs, and perennials and vow to create a layered, more productive yard that is healthier for our environment, easier to take care of than constant fertilizing and mowing, a luscious winter landscape and a haven for small winter birds. 

When you finish your project send me a picture.  I’d love to share your success with my audience!