Advice

[somaikoha]

Wanting to make a memorial garden type of deal for my dad who just passed, he really loved watching the birds so I want to start by planting a native tree in the middle of the yard (used to have a big one there but it fell on Father’s Day funnily enough) that will attract/ house the birds but I also want to make a bed around it and fill it with as much good **** for the critters as I can. Daddy liked hydrangeas so I’ll probably put one out front somewhere but we’re in North Carolina so I just wanna keep it all local and good for the lil guys that’ll hopefully be joining our garden any ideas for trees or plants for the bed are welcome

 

[flowerbug]

i can't suggest specific plants because i'm not from that area, but if you do end up planting any kind of fruit tree put it far enough from the house, sidewalks and driveway to keep down the amount of birdie drips and plant debris you have to deal with.

for bird watching a bird bath is really good, plan on keeping it cleaned out regularly. i don't suggest feeding birds as that attracts other animals/pests, but a bird bath will also bring the birds in.

 

[digitS']

My home is somewhat in the opposite corner of the country from yours but I did wear my bird hat while venturing out this morning .

Cornell University LINK isn't very close to either of us but they have advice on trees and shrubs for birds and links for garden plants, etc. I can agree and disagree with some of their ideas and some of that depends on the size of your property. I would not plant Virginia creeper. That vine is incredibly invasive here. Maybe with enough room providing an out-of-the-way location, mulberry would be okay. The neighbor had a mulberry tree near the property line and growing over our narrow walkway. The birds would make a terrible mess with the ripe fruit. Serviceberry has the same problem but since it's just a tall shrub, it would be easier to find an appropriate location.

Crabapple, with small fruit, sounds like a good idea to me. After all, flowering — they are beautiful. Spruce provides year round good protection for small birds in another neighborhood yard.

Steve, welcome to TEG

 

[Dahlia]

Wanting to make a memorial garden type of deal for my dad who just passed, he really loved watching the birds so I want to start by planting a native tree in the middle of the yard (used to have a big one there but it fell on Father’s Day funnily enough) that will attract/ house the birds but I also want to make a bed around it and fill it with as much good **** for the critters as I can. Daddy liked hydrangeas so I’ll probably put one out front somewhere but we’re in North Carolina so I just wanna keep it all local and good for the lil guys that’ll hopefully be joining our garden any ideas for trees or plants for the bed are welcome

Welcome to the forum from the Pacific Northwest!

 

[Dahlia]

Welcome to the forum from the Pacific Northwest!

I might plant a willow oak or a red maple?