Birder's Paradise Package XL

Package Description

For the avid bird watchers and budding ornithologists in our community, the Birder’s Paradise Package consists of species that Hill House Nursery staff and longtime native plant advocates such as Doug Tallamy consider ‘premier bird garden plants’. These species were specifically selected due to their frequent utilization by native birds as food sources, nesting sites and as cover to escape predators. The Birder’s Paradise Package XL, 840 square feet and comes with 9 different native trees and shrubs.

Species Attributes and Seasonality

Allegheny serviceberry, American plum and blackhaw viburnum are the first species to bloom in Spring, and are covered with blossoms by the first week of April. After blooming, both species produce rich edible fruits beloved by birds (and humans alike!). Alternate leaf dogwood, deemed a ‘premier bird garden plant’ in Doug Tallamy and Rick Darke’s book The Living Landscape, approaches peak bloom during the first week of May while silky dogwood erupts into bloom in late May. Swamp rose, one of our most ornamental native roses, dons blush-pink 3-inch wide flowers from mid-May through late-June: its thorny branches also provide excellent nesting habitat (we have two nests among our roses in the greenhouse already!). The giant white flowerheads of Elderberry and the bright yellow of St. John’s wort reach their peak around the Summer Solstice. Blue asters and goldenrods take off in September and October and round out the flowering season by providing late-season nectar sources for pollinators. The evergreen foliage of inkberry holly pops after leaf-off and provides shelter for birds all winter long.

Site Selection

The Birder’s Paradise Package is adaptable to a wide range of soil conditions, so long as it receives partial shade to full sun. This plant package works best as an informal woodland hedge in a backyard or side yard, yet could function well as a front yard screen along a road if space permits. The most important factor in placing this package is making sure it is located where you can view all of the incredible avian life utilizing the special habitat you created for them. The design included with the package is linear, however we are happy to help you adjust the design to fit any space you have available. Start planning to create your Birder’s Paradise today!