Forget Bird Feeders — Plant These 3 Flowers Now To Attract Birds To Your Garden

While colourful blooms and thick green lawns are undoubtedly beautiful, many would argue that the real measure of a successful garden is its wildlife.

We all know that planting the right things can help to support pollinators like bees and butterflies. But some key shrubs and flowers can attract birds to your garden – and provide them with food all year long.

Pim Dickson, a horticulture expert at Fothergill's, says: "Forget expensive bird feeders that need constant refilling. The smartest way to feed garden birds is to grow plants that do the job for you."

Plus, with the recent RSPB's bird feeder warning, there's no better time to harness the power of plants to draw birds to your garden: it's safer, cheaper and easier than keeping feeders stocked.

Here are three plants to sow now that will attract birds and act as a vital food source for them throughout the year:

1. Sunflowers

sunflowers! gorgeous sunny blooms on a sunny summer day.

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Grow sunflowers now for an avian feast later in the year. You can either sow seeds in containers indoors and let them sprout on your windowsill, or plant them straight into the ground if there is unlikely to be further frost.

The most important thing, though, is to leave them be once they have passed their best. "Sunflowers produce seeds that finches and sparrows absolutely love," explains Pim.

2. Echinacea

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April is the perfect time to establish echinacea. As well as being a versatile and hardy perennial, these pretty purple blooms are a hit with British birds. "Let them go to seed and watch birds flock to your garden," Pim says.

3. Alliums

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Leave these in your garden after flowering, and alliums, too, can be a vital food source, attracting birds. Planting, potted or container-grown specimens work best.

Pim also highlights berry-producing shrubs, like hawthorn, holly and viburnum, which you can cultivate between November and March – "they are like all-you-can-eat restaurants for hungry birds during the colder months".

And if in doubt, put away the pruners.

"Even plants that many consider weeds, like teasels, can become vital food sources when left to their own devices," says Pim. Let things get a little wild and you can expect birds to flock to your garden all year long.

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