Bird food plants

  • Gardening for Birds: Planting for Cedar Waxwings

    Author: Julianne Labreche, Master Gardeners of Ottawa-Carleton One late winter day, just as the weather was turning mild, a large flock of cedar waxwings…

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  • Robin with big red seed in his beak

    Gardening for Birds: Planting for American Robins

    Author: Julianne Labreche, Master Gardeners of Ottawa-Carleton The American robin, with its brick-red breast, yellow beak, and grey wings, is a much-loved harbinger of…

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  • Birds flying in a night sky silhoueted against an orange moon

    Light Pollution and the Importance of Darkness For Wildlife

    Author: Julianne Labreche, Master Gardeners of Ottawa-Carleton As days become shorter, winter solstice approaches. Long shadows fall over the garden while many migratory birds…

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  • n Owl in. tree looking at us through rust colored leaves

    Gardening for Birds and Planting for Owls

    Author: Julianne Labreche, Master Gardeners of Ottawa-Carleton That winter’s night when a snowy owl perched in the boughs of my old crabapple tree will…

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  • A piliated Woodpecher on a tree with tongue out of his beak

    Gardening for Birds: Planting for Woodpeckers

    Author: Julianne Labreche, Master Gardeners of Ottawa-Carleton. Three species of woodpeckers visit my well-wooded, older suburb. Usually, they are most noticeable during mating season…

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  • A light brown Morning Dove on a wooden yard fence

    Gardening for Birds – Planting for Mourning Doves

    Author: Julianne Labreche, Master Gardeners of Ottawa-Carleton If my bedroom window is open, one of the best ways to wake up on a summer…

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  • A bumblebee on a bright yellow sunflower

    Pollinator Tips for Summer Gardens

    Author: Julianne Labreche, Master Gardeners of Ottawa-Carleton Hot, lazy July days bring busy pollinators to visit our orchards, flower, and vegetable gardens. These small…

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  • A hummingbird feeding on a red plant

    An Overview of Garden Plant Suggestions for Birds

    Julianne Labreche, Master Gardener, Ottawa-Carleton N= Native Plant Bird Friendly Shrubs and Small Trees Evergreen Trees for Birds Deciduous Trees for Birds Perennials for…

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  • A beautiful american goldfinch on a tree branch in winter.

    Gardening for American Goldfinches

    Author: Julianne Labreche, Master Gardeners of Ottawa-Carleton; published with permission One pleasure every summer is watching American goldfinches forage for seeds among the flowers…

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  • Gardening for Birds: Planting for Ruby-Throated Hummingbirds

    Author: Julianne Labreche, Master Gardeners of Ottawa-Carleton; published with permission Twenty-three different kinds of hummingbirds have been identified in North America, but the rubythroated…

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  • Blue Jay on a log with open beek

    Gardening for Birds: Planting for Blue Jays

    Author: Julianne Labreche, Master Gardeners of Ottawa-Carleton; published with permission The blue jay is notably recognizable by its shrieking, sharp calls and its beautiful…

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  • Nuthatch upside down on a tree

    Gardening for Birds: Planting for White-Breasted Nuthatches

    Author: Julianne Labreche, Master Gardeners of Ottawa-Carleton; published with permission White-breasted nuthatches are sometimes called ‘upside down’ birds because of their unusual ability to…

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  • a chickdee eating seeds from a hand

    Gardening for Birds: Planting for Black-capped Chickadees

    Author: Julianne Labreche, Master Gardeners of Ottawa-Carleton; published with permission Frequent visitors to my backyard garden are the curious little black-capped chickadees. They are…

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  • Three sparrows sitting on a rustic fence

    Gardening for Birds: Planting for Sparrows

    Author: Julianne Labreche, Master Gardeners of Ottawa-Carleton; published with permission Many different species of sparrows visit my backyard garden, no matter the season. Sparrow…

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  • male cardinal on tree branch in a winter scene

    A Winter Garden for Birds

    Author: Julianne Labreche, Master Gardeners of Ottawa-Carleton; published with permission My bird feeders are a source of life in the stillness of winter. From…

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  • Grey Dogwood leaf and flowers

    Grey Dogwood Care and Use

    Grey dogwood is a hardy, low-maintenance shrub that provides subdued beauty all year round. Around June, white flower panicles enliven the surroundings. In the…

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  • Close-up photo of Winterberry Plant

    Winterberry Growth and Care

    Winterberry holly has pointed, dark-green foliage that is surrounded by red berries. While the berries remain, the leaves fall off in late fall and…

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  • White snowberry fruit with its leaves

    Growing the Fuss-Free Snowberry

    The Snowberry is a great addition to many types of landscapes or gardens as an ornamental shrub, as it is easy to care for…

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