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Creating a Wild Backyard - Two+-Acre Wildscape

Gardening for wildlife has become a favorite backyard hobby for millions of people. This pamphlet is designed to give you ideas on turning your backyard into a wildlife garden, with helpful tips on how to arrange food, water, and shelter elements of habitat for wildlife. The Wild Acres packet can also help you as you plan your garden with more in-depth information on specific topics such as wildflower meadows. Always be sure your wildscape plans comply with local ordinances.

Once your wildscape is planted, the fun really begins as you observe and discover wildlife as they discover your wildscape. The wildlife species that will visit your backyard is largely determined by the location of your backyard in proximity to other backyards or undisturbed open space. Wildlife visiting backyards in Western Maryland will differ from backyards on the Eastern Shore, but songbirds, hummingbirds, deer, frogs, turtles, butterflies, squirrels, rabbits, and chipmunks are just a few of the species you may observe enjoying your wildscape. The age of your neighborhood also plays a part in what species will be attracted to your wildscape. Wildlife that need old trees as residences will begin to frequent neighborhoods with large trees, but are species that are usually absent in new neighborhoods.

The Landscape Drawing was created exclusively for Wild Acres by Melissa Gerber of Gerber Landscapes in Queenstown to help you visualize the concepts behind creating backyard wildlife habitat. Ms, Gerber is a landscape designer specializing in landscape plans for wildlife. The drawing suggests a plan for a two to three acre lot. However, the same arrangements are applicable to much larger properties. Below is a plant list that details each plant's wildlife use, along with a description of the different kinds of food, water and shelter elements used in the drawing.

Landscape Drawing

You may notice that some of the plants listed do not have a wildlife use indicated. When designing your wildscape, some plants should be selected because they compliment their companion plants or simply because you like them. Finally, a substitution plant list has been included that will enable you to create and personalize your own wildlife garden. When choosing plants, always be sure of the light, soil and watering requirements of each plant and whether or not those needs will be met in the place it will be planted. Plant nurseries and garden centers are good sources of information. Whenever possible, use organic solutions for insect and disease problems rather than pesticides. 

Diversity is the Key to Habitat
Many yards are comprised of grass with very little landscaping. The key to creating excellent wildlife habitat, regardless of the total size of the yard, is to offer a diverse habitat. First, plant a variety of trees, shrubs, flowers and grasses that fulfill different roles in the habitat scheme. Also, select plants that do "double duty" in the wildlife garden by serving as both food and cover. Create a diversity of vertical components by planting the largest trees and shrubs as the "backbone" of the garden with lower growing flowers and grasses. Plants arranged in this way form layers of habitat that are attractive to a greater number of wildlife species than if you just planted grass and trees.

How much grass should you keep? If you have children or pets, some grass is necessary. A general rule of thumb is to have 60% or more of your yard area (excluding the house) planted in something other than lawn. This two-plus acre wildscape drawing reflects an informal naturalistic arrangement similar to that found in a woodland.

Habitat Elements

Food
Trees, shrubs, flowers and grasses represent important food components of the wildlife garden. Plants provide food in the fruit they produce, including berries, nuts, and seeds or serve as food themselves. Plants should be chosen so that a variety of plants flower and fruit all season, which ensures a natural food supply, will always be available.

Keep in mind the fruiting characteristics of species. Inkberries and yews are dioecious, meaning that male and female flowers are on separate plants. If berries are desired as a food component then a male and female must be planted near each other. It's also imperative to carefully prune shrubs at the proper time of year so that you do not prune off your future food supply.

The other plants chosen are annuals, perennials and grasses that are excellent sources of nectar for hummingbirds, butterflies, bees and moths. After flowering, many produce seeds that are eaten by songbirds. Be sure to select flower varieties that produce single rather than double flowers because singles are richer sources of nectar. Annuals as a general rule flower for a longer period than perennials and can provide vivid colors. Perennials should be chosen so that something is flowering throughout the season. Some of the best bee and butterfly plants are herbs and an herb garden can be planned for the kitchen as well as for butterflies.

Water
Fresh water is probably the most important habitat element that you can add to your wildlife garden. There are many kinds of pedestal birdbaths commercially available. A ground birdbath placed in the garden with a circulating pump and mister or drip may attract shy warblers and is a good choice for yards that aren't accessible to free-roaming predators. A shallow saucer or dish filled with fresh water does just as well. There are also birdbaths commercially available that can attach directly to porch and deck railings that are just as useful for birds to drink and bathe. Saucers filled with sand and kept wet provide water and nutrients for butterflies too!

This drawing also includes a water gardening project. This type of garden should be placed in an area that receives at least four hours of sunlight daily, and contains both plants and fish to keep the pond in balance and reduce maintenance for the gardener. Keep in mind that fish will eat tadpoles. Nurseries that stock water gardening plants and supplies can help you in the planning process, but native species of fish and water plants will always thrive better and require less care than exotics.

Shelter
Besides bird nest boxes, evergreen shrubs and bushy or thorny deciduous shrubs can provide shelter for wildlife, even when planted nest to the house in a foundation bed. Wildlife need shelter from the weather and safe places to rest and nest away from predators. As shown in the drawing, the arrangement of trees and shrubs along the perimeter of the property provides this protection. Some animals, such as chipmunks, prefer a rock-pile retreat. Brush piles and rock piles can be tucked away in a little seen corner of the yard or hidden behind evergreen shrubs. Vines can be trained to cover these structures providing additional shelter. The upper left corner of the wildscape depicts vegetation complete with dead trees or snags and logs. These components reflect conditions found in woodlands that serve as habitat for many species of wildlife.

Plant List

American Arborvitae - Evergreen tree - S, SH, N
Arrowwood Viburnum - Deciduous shrub - FB
Bayberry - Deciduous shrub - FB, SH, N
Black Gum - Deciduous tree - FB
Blueberry - Deciduous shrub - SB, BEN
Buttonbush - Deciduous shrub - BN, S, SH, N
Chokeberry - Deciduous shrub - WB, SH
Eastern Red Cedar - Evergreen tree - WB, SH, N
Flameleaf Sumac - Deciduous shrub - WB
Green Ash - Deciduous tree - S, SH, N
Hackberry - Deciduous tree - WB, BN
Panicgrass - Perennial grass - S, SH
Red Maple - Deciduous tree - S, SH, N
River Birch - Deciduous tree - S, SH, N
Shadbush - Deciduous tree - SB, SH, N
Shrub Lespedeza - Deciduous shrub - BEN, S, SH
Spicebush - Deciduous shrub - FB, BC
Sweet Gum - Deciduous tree - S
Virginia Pine - Evergreen tree- S, SH
Washington Hawthorne - Deciduous tree - WB, SH, N, HN
Willow Oak - Evergreen tree - NU, SH, N
Winterberry - Deciduous shrub - FB, SH, N

Medium To Large Trees
Balsam Fir - Evergreen - S, SH, N
Black Cherry - Deciduous - SB, SH, BN
Black Walnut - Deciduous - NU
Butternut - Deciduous - NU, SH
Douglas Fir - Evergreen - SH
Eastern Hemlock - Evergreen - S, SH
Eastern White Pine - Evergreen - S, SH, N
Hickories - Deciduous - NU
Northern Catalpa - Deciduous - HN
Scotch Pine - Evergreen - SH
Tulip Tree - Deciduous - S, HN
White Spruce - Evergreen - S, SH, N

Small Trees
American Hazel - Deciduous - NU, SH
American Holly - Evergreen - WB, SH, N
American Mountain Ash - Deciduous - FB
Chokecherry - Deciduous - SB, SH

Shrubs
Hollies* - Deciduous and evergreen varieties - FB/WB, SH, N, BEN
Huckleberries* - Deciduous and evergreen varieties - FB, SH
Junipers* (dwarf varieties) - Evergreen - SH
Lilac - Deciduous - BN, BEN
New Jersey Tea - Deciduous - BN, HN
Pyracantha - Evergreen - FB, SH, N
Roses - Deciduous - WB, SH, N
Spicebush - Deciduous - FB, BC
Spireas - Deciduous - S, SH, N, BN
Viburnums (fertile) - Deciduous and evergreen varieties - FB/WB
Yews* - Evergreen - FB, SH, N

Window Boxes
Button Zinnia - Annual - BN, S
Geraniums - Annual and perennial varieties - HN
Impatiens - Annual - BN, HN, S
Nasturtium - Annual - BEN
Petunias - Annual - BN, BEN, MN, S
Marigolds (genus Tagetes) - Annual - BN, BEN, BC
Wax Begonia - Annual - HN

Vines For Railings/Trellises
Cardinal Climber - Annual - HN
Clematis - Perennial - HN
Scarlet Runner Bean - Annual - HN
Scarlet Trumpet Honeysuckle "Dropmore" - Perennial - HN, ON
Sweet Pea - Annual - BEN

Hanging Baskets
Fuschia - Annual - HN
Garden Verbena - Annual - BN, BEN
Impatiens - Annual - HN
Nasturtium - Annual - BEN
Petunia (cascade forms) - Annual - BN, BEN, MN, S
Waxleaf Begonia - Annual - HN

Herbs
Anise - Annual - BC
Bergamot - Perennial - BN, MN
Boneset - Perennial - BN, BEN
Borage - Perennial - BEN
Catnip - Perennial - BEN, S
Cretan Dittany - Perennial - BEN
Dill - Annual - BEN, BC
Garden Sage - Annual - BEN
Hyssop - Perennial - BN, BEN
Lavender - Semi-evergreen shrub - BN, BEN
Leadplant - Perennial - BN
Lemon Balm - Perennial - BEN
Lovage - Perennial - BEN
Parsley - Perennial - BEN
Peppermint - Perennial - BEN
Rosemary - Perennial - BEN
Selfheal - Perennial - BEN
Spearmint - Perennial - BN, BEN
Sweet Marjoam - Perennial - BEN
Thyme - Perennial - BN, BEN
Winter Savory - Perennial - BEN

Plants For Containers
Agertum - Annual - BN, S
Amaryllis - Perennial - HN
Annual Phlox - Annual - HN, S
Asters - Perennial and annual varieties - BN, BC
Canterbury Bells - Biennial - BEN
China Pink - Annual - HN
Daffodil - Perennial - BEN
Dusty Miller - Annual - BN
Flowering Tobacco - Annual - HN, MN
Geranium - Annual and perennial varieties - HN
Gladiolus - Perennial - BEN
Globe Candytuft - Annual - BN, BEN, S
Heath Aster - Annual - BN, BC, BEN
Heliotrope - Annual - BN, MN
Hyacinth-Flowered Candytuft - Annual - BN, BEN, S
Marigolds (genus Tagetes) - Annual - BN, BEN, BC
Moss Pink - Perennial - HN, S
Petunia - Annual - BN, BEN, MN, S
Pot Marigold - Annual - BN
Primrose - Perennial - BN
Scarlet Sage - Annual - HN, BEN, S
Sweet William Phlox - Perennial - BN, MN, HN, S
Wax Begonia - Annual - HN
Zinnia - Annual - BN, S

Groundcovers
Juniper - Evergreen - SH
Lowbush Blueberry - Deciduous - SB, BEN
Sweet-scented Sumac - Deciduous - S

Perennials/Annuals
American Columbine - Perennial - HN, BN
Asters - Annual and perennial varieties - BN, BC
Black-eyed Susan - Perennial - BN, BC
Blazing Star - Perennial - BN, S, HN
Boneset - Perennial - BN, BEN
Butterflyweed - Perennial - BN, BEN, BC
Candytuft - Perennial - BN, BEN
Canterbury Bells - Annual - BEN
Cardinal Flower - Perennial - MN, BEN, HN
Coral Bells - Perennial - HN
Cosmos - Annual - BN, BEN
Delphinium - Perennial - HN, BEN
Dwarf Blue Gentian - Perennial - MN
Fireweed - Perennial - MN, BEN, HN
Flowering Tobacco - Annual - MN, S
Four O'Clock - Annual - MN, S, HN
Foxglove - Perennial - BEN, HN
Gladiolus - Perennial - HN
Goldenrods - Perennial - BN, BEN
Hollyhock - Biennial - BN, BC, BEN, HN, ON
Iris - Perennial - BN
Joe-Pye Weed - Perennial - BN, BEN
Larkspur - Annual - HN
Lupine - Perennial - BN, BC
Milkweed - Perennial - BN, BEN, BC
Obedient Plant - Perennial - BEN, MN
Oxeye Sunflower - Perennial - BN
Phlox - Perennial - BN, BEN, MN, S
Primrose - Perennial - MN, BEN, S
Purple Coneflower - Perennial - BN
Scabiosa - Annual and perennial varieties - BN, HN
Scarlet Bergamot - Perennial - BN, MN, HN
Sedum - Perennial - BN, BC
Spider Flower - Annual - BEN, S, HN
Sunflowers - Annual and perennial varieties - BN, S
Sweet William - Annual - BN, MN, HN
Turk's Cap Lily - Perennial - HN, ON
Penstemon - Perennial - HN, S, BEN, BC
Turtlehead - Perennial - BN, BEN

Marsh And Aquatic Plants
Arrowhead - Emergent - SH
Burreed - Emergent - S, SH
Cordgrass - Emergent - SH
Iris - Emergent - HN, BN
Marsh Marigold - Emergent - HN, BN
Smartweed - Emergent - S
Bulrush - Emergent - SH, S
Widgeon grass - Submergent - SH
Wild celery - Submergent - S
Wild Millet - Emergent - S
Spike Rush - Emergent - S
Wild Rice - Emergent - SH

Grasses/Legumes
Big Bluestem - Perennial grass - SH, S
Leadplant - Perennial legume - SH, BN
Little Bluestem - Perennial grass - SH, S, BC
Sideoats Grama - Perennial grass - SH, S
Switchgrass - SH, S

Orchard Trees
Apples - Deciduous tree - FB
Cherries - Deciduous tree - SB, SH, N
Crab apples - Deciduous tree - WB, SH, N
Elderberry - Deciduous tree - SB, SH, N
Service berries - Deciduous tree - SB, SH, N

For Additional Information, Contact:
 
 Wild Acres Program
 Maryland Wildlife and Heritage Service
 Attn:  Marilyn Mause
 Gwynnbrook WMA
 3740 Gwynnbrook Ave
 Owings Mills MD 21117
 410-356-0941
 E-Mail: customerservice@dnr.state.md.us