Creating your own habitat garden filled with native plants is easier than you think. Here’s a simple recipe for an autumn habitat garden filled with goodies for local wildlife that calls your garden home.
1) Start with some autumn blooming flowers, like goldenrod (Solidago) and false aster (Boltonia asteroides)
Solidago rugosa ‘Fireworks’ with a well-used bird bath and some spent flower heads
The sunny, smiling faces of Boltonia asteroides.
2) Mix in some seed heads that may look like they’re past their prime but are still feeding the birds.
The seedheads of Echinacea feed an array of birds in my habitat garden.
Birds love the seeds of native Panicum grass.
Butterfly weed (Asclepias) seeds are getting ready to fly away.
3) Throw in a hefty serving of native fruit and berries
The bright red berries of Aronia arbutifolia attract local birds and add a pop of color in the habitat garden.
The berries of Crataegus viridis remain on the tree for months adding color and food for birds.
More bright red berries from the common dogwood (Cornus florida)
4) Add a dash of water
5) Throw in a variety of leaves in different colors, sizes and shapes
A ‘grove’ of sassafras seedlings
The bright yellow leaves of Chionanthus virginicus are ablaze, especially against the dark green backdrop of native rhododendron.
The brilliant fall leaves of Vaccinium corymbosum rival those of the invasive winged Euonymus.
6) Don’t forget, a little mess is good for the garden and the gardener
An organized mess of leaves, branches, wood and an old tree trunk.
7) Throw in an expected treat for your wildlife
What’s cooking in your garden?
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