Backyard wildlife habitat doesn’t have to be restricted to large
areas with lots of acreage. By providing basic needs for wildlife,
you can turn small spaces into attractive places. This page is
dedicated to enhancing wildlife habitat on porches, decks and
balconies.
Habitat Elements
When designing backyard wildlife habitat, it is important to include
elements that provide food, water, shelter and/or nesting habitat.
In confined spaces, it is best to plant species which perform double
duties such as shrubs that provide both cover and berries. Drought
tolerant plants or those which prefer less sun are also good choices
for container plants. In addition, be sure to maintain a sense of
proportion when designing your habitat by choosing shrubs and plants
which won’t overtake your space and will require little maintenance.
Food
Bird feeders are an
excellent addition to small spaces. However, don’t put out large
quantities of seed as it may attract pigeons and rats. Also, be
mindful of your neighbors and possible seed spillage if your balcony
is above someone else’s balcony. If you have large glass doors or
windows by your feeders, then put up decals or blinds to prevent
possible window strikes. If you are using shrubs to provide a berry
source, be sure that if shrubs have male and female parts on
different plants (dioecious), then you have at least one male and
one female for berry production.
Water
Fresh water is probably
one of the most important elements of habitat for wildlife. If
possible, then try to add a bird bath or small fountain to your deck
or porch as a water source for wildlife. A shallow terra cotta
saucer filled with a small amount of water and sand can also provide
an excellent water source for butterflies. Be sure to clean out bird
baths and saucers regularly to prevent mosquitoes from breeding in
your water source.
Shelter
Evergreen shrubs can
provide shelter year round for wildlife, as can clump forming
grasses in containers. Hanging baskets can sometimes become nesting
areas, especially for Mourning doves. Vines on trellises can also
provide temporary cover.
Recommended Plant List
The following list provides some recommendations for wildlife
friendly plants that also grow well in containers. When selecting
plants, keep in mind the size of your space and the light needs for
the plants you install. Also, be an informed consumer and stay away
from plants that are known to be invasive. For a list of commonly
planted invasive species, check out the “Bad
Plants Planted by Good People” page or the recently revised
Plant Invaders of Mid-Atlantic Natural Areas.
Annuals
|
Species |
Native? |
Flower/Fruit |
Benefits |
|
Flowering Tobacco
(Nicotiana alata) |
N |
May-Jul |
Attractive to bees, butterflies and birds. |
|
Lantana
(Lantana camara) |
N |
Jun-Aug |
Good for butterflies but invasive in southern climates like GA,FL |
|
Pentas
(Pentas spp.) |
N |
Jun-Sept |
Nectar attracts bees, butterflies, birds |
|
Petunia
(Petunia spp.) |
N |
Apr-Jul |
Can attract butterflies like Painted ladies |
|
Salvia
(Salvia spp.) |
N |
May-Sep |
Great for beneficial insect pollinators |
|
Sweet William/Phlox
(Phlox divaricata) |
Y |
Apr-Jun |
Showy spring flower that attracts butterflies |
|
Sweet William
(Dianthus barbatus) |
N |
Jun-Jul |
Attracts butterflies and hummingbirds |
|
Zinnia |
N |
|
Great for butterflies and other pollinators
|
Grasses
|
Species |
Native? |
Flower/Fruit |
Benefits |
|
Big Bluestem
(Andropogon gerardii) |
Y |
Jun-Sep |
Clump forming plant which provides cover; best in large
containers |
|
Switchgrass
(Panicum virgatum) |
Y |
Jul-Oct |
Clump forming plant which provides food for sparrows and
other songbirds |
|
Wild Oats
(Chasmanthium latifolium) |
Y |
Jul-Sep |
Provides cover |
Herbs
|
Species |
Native? |
Flower/Fruit |
Benefits |
|
Dill
(Anethum graveolens) |
N |
|
Host for Black swallowtail larvae |
|
Fennel
(Foeniculum vulgare) |
N |
|
Host for Black swallowtail larvae |
|
Rosemary
(Rosemaryinus officinalis) |
N |
|
Good for bees |
|
Parsley
(Petroselinum crispum) |
N |
|
Host for Black swallowtail larvae |
|
Sweet Marjoram
(Origanum vulgare) |
N |
|
Good for bees |
|
Thyme
(Thymus) |
N |
|
Excellent for bees |
Perennials
|
Species |
Native? |
Flower/Fruit |
Benefits |
|
Beebalm
(Monarda didyma) |
Y |
Jul-Sep |
Showy, aromatic flowers which attract hummingbirds and
butterflies |
|
Beardtongue
(Penstemon digitalis) |
Y |
Jun-Aug |
Great for hummingbirds |
|
Black-eyed Susan
(Rudbeckia hirta) |
Y |
Jun-Oct |
Provides both a pollen and nectar source for wildlife
|
|
Butterflyweed
(Asclepias tuberosa) |
Y |
May-Jul/
Aug-Nov |
Host plant for monarch butterflies. Also attracts adult
butterflies |
|
Creeping Phlox
(Phlox subulata) |
Y |
Apr-Jun |
Attracts butterflies and works as a ground cover |
|
Moss Phlox
(Phlox subulata) |
Y |
Apr-Jun |
Attracts butterflies and works as a ground cover |
|
Purple Coneflower
(Echinacea purpureum) |
Y |
Jul-Aug |
Provides nectar for pollinators as well as seeds for birds
|
|
Stonecrops
(Sedum spp.) |
Y/N |
|
Provides good groundcover and some varieties are used by
butterflies |
Shrubs for Tubs
|
Species |
Native? |
Flower/Fruit |
Benefits |
|
Blueberries
(Vaccinium spp.) |
Y/N |
|
Provide berry source for birds as well as nectar source for
butterflies and bees |
|
Camellia
(Camellia spp.) |
N |
|
Can provide cover and some hummingbirds will use nectar
|
|
Coralberry
(Symphoricarpos orbiculatus) |
Y |
Apr-Jun |
Provides cover, nectar for insects, berries for songbirds
and leaves for moths |
|
Hydrangea
(Hydrangea spp.) |
Y/N |
Jun-Aug |
Provides cover and food for pollinators |
|
Juniper (dwarf varieties) |
N |
|
Provides year-round shelter |
|
Virginia Sweetspire
(Itea virginica) |
Y |
Jun-Jul/
Aug-Mar |
Provides nectar for beneficial insects and fruit for
songbirds and small mammals |
|
Yew
(Taxus canadensis) |
Y |
Mar-May/
Jul-Sep |
Provides cover and berries for songbirds |
Vines
|
Species |
Native? |
Flower/Fruit |
Benefits |
|
Bittersweet
(Celastrus scandens) |
Y |
May-Jun/
Sept-Dec |
Provides fruits, buds and leaves. Excellent winter food for
birds. Oriental bittersweet (C. orbiculatus) is
invasive. |
|
Passionflower
(Passiflora incarnata) |
Y |
Jun-Sep/
Sep-Oct |
Great for butterflies and provides edible fruits
|
|
Trumpet Creeper
(Campsis radicans) |
Y |
Jul-Sep/
Aug-Mar |
Great for butterflies and hummingbirds |
|
Trumpet Honeysuckle
(Lonicera sempervirens) |
Y |
Apr-Oct/
Aug-Mar |
Excellent plant for hummingbirds and provides berries for
songbirds
|
|
Virgin’s Bower
(Clematis virginiana) |
Y |
Jul-Sept/
Aug-Nov |
Fragrant flowers |
Invite Wildlife to Your Backyard!
For Additional Information, Contact:
Kerry Wixted
Wildlife and Heritage Service
580 Taylor Ave, E-1
Annapolis, MD 21401
kerry.wixted@maryland.gov
Phone: 410-260-8566
Fax: 410-260-8596
Acknowledgements:
- Photograph of Black swallowtail caterpillar by Lynn Davidson
- All other photos by Kerry Wixted