Bird Feeders with Roots

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• Avoid creating beds with sharp angles or elaborate curves. Gentle curves look more natural and are easier to maintain.

• Choose plants that are appropriate to the soil and growing conditions. For instance, put shade-tolerant plants in shady places, and moisture-loving plants in wet areas.

• When positioning trees and shrubs, don’t be fooled by the sizes of young plants — ask about each species’ mature size and plant accordingly.

• Give extra thought to what your landscape will look like in the dead of winter. Evergreen trees and shrubs placed strategically can enliven an otherwise bleak snow-season yard. The bark and twigs of many deciduous trees also can add striking color and contrast. For example, beech has muscled, gray-colored bark.eep-red branches set off the red osier dogwood.

And remember that plant species native to your region generally provide the best food and cover for indigenous birds. Natives usually are better able to withstand your region’s climatic extremes, too. [For listings of plants native to your area, as well as suppliers, contact the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center: (512) 292-4100; www.wildflower.org. — Mother

Finally, don’t forget to arrange your plantings so that you’ll be able to observe your winged neighbors.on’t block windows, porches and patios with tall shrubs or other growth. After all, the idea is to create a landscape that’s as useful and attractive to all its residents as it is to you.

Great Plants for You and the Birds

The trees and shrubs listed below are among those favored by many birds for food, shelter and nesting, and that are suited to most parts of the country with four distinct seasons. Your local agricultural Extension agent can help you choose additional wildlife-friendly species suited specifically to your area. Remember that variety is a key ingredient in providing good bird habitat; try to establish multiple layers of vegetation: tall trees, shorter understory trees and shrubs ranging from chest height to ground height. Most of the varieties listed can be planted in the fall; they’ll produce new roots until the ground freezes and then resume growth in the spring. (However, some trees prefer spring planting, such as dogwoods and certain oaks.)

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