Garden Centre

Monday, November 26, 2007

The Holly and the Ivy (and the pyracantha)

Did you know that it is reckoned that only about 1% of the average bird’s nutrition comes from bird tables and feeders? Birds eat insects and wild seeds of course, but these are not abundant in winter and early spring - so if you plant enough different fruit-bearing shrubs and trees, your garden will offer food to both winter and summer residents, as well as providing food for migrants in the spring and autumn if you're on migration routes. It's important to plant a range of shrubs because while some plants provide sugar rich berries that help feed nestlings in spring, others provide fatty berries that supply fuel to birds passing through in autumn and a final group have what are called persistent berries - fruits that desiccate and remain available during winter for year-round residents.

Another advantage of planting small trees and shrubs that retain their berries during the coldest months is the winter colour to your garden.

The rate at which birds strip berries from garden plants will change annually, according to weather conditions, how much food is available elsewhere and other local variations. As a general rule: birds tend to eat red berries first leaving the less palatable yellow, oranges and whites until last. Some red berries last better than others including the Pyracantha, Cotoneaster and rose-hips. For a good glowing orange-yellow I favour the Pyracantha 'Soleil d'Or' which has abundant long-lasting berries and thrives in an exposed garden location.

Labels: cotoneaster, holly, pyracantha, winter colour, winter interest

The All Seasons Gardener at 10:21 AM

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