Planning Our Bird-friendly Gardens

See how people all over the United States and Canada are better supporting birds this year in their gardens.

Add Your Planning Photos
Colorado. My courtyard was cover in flagstone, it was removed and we added native bird friendly plants.
Saskatchewan. I am smothering my lawn to make a native species biodiversity garden. I plan to take out the whole lawn; this is the first half. Photo by Leanne Grieves
Illinois. Behind our garage, except where I planted a few natives last year, all usable soil was covered with 1-2 layers of landscaping cloth, 4-6 inches of gravel/river rock, and many years’ accumulation of leaves and twigs from arbor vitae and non-native weeds, mostly Creeping Charlie (Glechoma hederacea). This shot shows the work in process of removing the rocks, weeds, debris, and cloth, to prepare the area for planting natives.
Alberta. We recently added a post with a fence feeder and Niger seed. We’ve been getting House since last year goldfinch in our yard. Just today we also added two new raised beds that we put together and have native plants growing from seed to put into them when the nights are warm enough.
Maine. My peonies were lovely but I wanted a more impactful and prominent place ( front yard) to share what I’m doing with native plants. I’ve planted New England Asters and Beardstongue. Photo by Ruth Clay.
New York. We have begun planting one section of the project area. Photo by Cathy Michael.
New York. I took out a bunch of nonnative honeysuckle and barberry and planted 25 northern bayberry bushes. Hope they make it!
Massachusetts. Chasmanthium latifolium 6” tall; Panicum virgatum just breaking dormancy – both planted summer 2025. Have just transplanted 15 winter sown Aquilegia canadensis on top tier of Hügel terrace for hummingbirds.
New York. Will be replacing the spreading Lemon Balm with Black eyed Susans and other Rudbeckia that the Lemon Balm displaced. Photo by Debbie Hoke.
Ohio. I plan to plant native plants between the sidewalk and street for these reaons: so people walking by can see what a native plant garden can look like, provide a “soft landings” spot for caterpillars under the oak street tree, and to improve the esthetics of the neighborhood. I hope others will see it and be inspired to start their own native garden! Photo by Elsie Jorgensen.
Connecticut. This is an unused area in my fenced in backyard, so deer no issue. I’m creating a bed here and planting black chokeberry for the birds. Photo by Susan Brewer.
Ohio. This is what this years start to the season looks like. based on last year, will be adding some more flowers and thinning out some others. Photo by Shawn Stevens.
new garden
Washington. This is going to be my bird garden! I’m working on getting my water feature, feeding, and nesting material done. Might need to fix my bird nest.
raised bed garden
Pennsylvania. My planning garden with wildflowers and vegetable garden. Photo by Ed Reynolds.
new plant
Maryland. Saw a Cedar Waxwing at my birdbath so planted a black chokeberry bush.
Michigan.We moved to our new home in Jan 2026. The yard needs a lot of cleaning up, but also has a lot of areas for bird friendly areas! Photo by Beth Hagen.
Michigan. Planning a hedgerow of 3 Lindera benzoin. Photo by Beth Toftey.
Virginia. Large backyard area recently cleared of invasive now planted with native trees and shrubs.
Tennessee. Foreground starter planter of butterfly weed seedlings and midway down the long bed is large Tn milkweed coming up again after planting last year all to encourage butterflies to lay eggs and produce caterpillars enough so birds can have some too! Photo by Marcia Donovan.
Texas. Extending last year’s garden to add more native plants this year.
Ohio. Before Photo- I will be replacing all of the existing plants in this area with native species and I plan on adding a bird bath and bird feeder to this space. Photo by Amy VanLew.
where new gardens will be
Texas. Pre planting May 2025.
new site
Maine. Planting 1 black cherry & 3 American plum (all keystone species) in my backyard. Planning on adding 3 hazelnuts back there next month. Photo by Ruth Clay.
plantings
Ohio. Planted a native perennial garden to support pollinators and wildlife in general. Photo by Deborah Derr.
wheelbarrow
Pennsylvania. Weeds have been removed, compost has been worked into the soil, and the first plant, a red bee balm, was planted. That plant, that I would usually plant in May, was delivered to me early, and then we had temps continually above 50 for 7 days, so I felt safe planting it. It will probably sulk awhile. Can you help me ID the vigorous plants that self-seeded beside the wheelbarrow. I’m hoping they’re bee balm. Photo by Kathie Gifford.
blue-fenced garden
Texas. These are photos of one of the small front yard gardens that is most visible to residents. There is little bluestem, Turks cap, lantana, American beautyberries, sunflowers, and purple coneflower.
new trees
Ontario. We planted these 3 Eastern Hemlocks last fall. Will add native wiĺd flowers around them.
different gardens
Arkansas. Here are three of my garden areas. The main one has native plants as well as store bought. And there’s my cactus garden, for the night pollinators. Photos by Lisbeth Lopez.
patio with garden
Georgia. Here’s where we’re planning to put our containers with Georgia natives along with our Florida natives from last year’s project. Behind is where our bird feeder sits and on the other side of the deck is two small container ponds where birds and other animals can drink! Photo by Tahli Guzman.
trees planted for birds
New York. Before picture of my front yard with few plans to support birds (except a holly bush). After picture with 5 new trees (red oak, sugar maple, serviceberry, and white birch). Photo by Autumn Anderson.
circled sites
Wisconsin. We added a brush pile (circled in orange), and we’ll try again to plant some bird and pollinator-friendly plants in the bare spot circled in yellow. The latter met with only limited success last year. Photo by Scott Diehl.
empty pot
Washington.Planter in shared parking area. Photo by Tracy McHugh.
space under feeder
Pennslyvania. Planting Lobeila, Butterfly bushes and Bee Balm. Putting up a feeder for hummingbirds. Photo by Antionette Selitto.
new front garden
Virginia. This project is a major expansion of my front yard garden. Photo by Wiliam Kurtz.
Pennsylvania. Nice gardens, but NO natives. Ambitiously, everything will be native by end of the year. Photo by Michael Schultheis.
New Hampshire. This area has been a perfect spot for my bird feeders. I would like to make it a bird garden/pollinator-friendly seating area . Photo by Monica Brandau.
jugs where seeds were planted.
Massachusetts. Winter sowing: Aquilegia canadensis to be planted in front of Chasmanthium latifolium and Panicaum virgatum that was planted in 2025.
Ontario. This is the southwest side of my backyard garden where I hope to work on improving bird habitat with nesting platforms and a dead hedge.
Texas. This site is along our back yard patio. Currently it is just dirt. We plan to plant native Texas pollinators along the patio and along the side of the house. The rest of the area we will seed with Texas wildflower seeds and native grasses. Photo by Lisa Stoll.
Open space where plants will be addd.
Pennsylvania. I will add to this existing Garden For Birds area additional native plants, flowers in containers and bird-features, bird bath with solar powered fountain or mister, refill ground bird feeder & add hummingbird feeder again this year.
Open space where plants will be addd.
South Carolina. The early successional plants like blackberries were cut down in preparation of planting three small trees/shrubs. A female yaupon holly and two prarie willows will be planted to increase diversity of host plants and add berries.
Rhode Island. I have begun the smothering! In place of turf grass there will be native understory trees, berry producing native shrubs and native perennials. The lawn will be reduced to a 6 ft. path around the property.Photo by Kathy Fell.
Tennessee. This is an area of our yard with receiving little sunlight. We decided to plan a shade garden to best utilize the area.
New York. This is quite a large area. Last year we planted 12 blueberries as well as lavender and some perennial herbs. This year we plan on adding shrubs like service berry, chokecherry and Pinxter azalea. Photo by Jill MacDonald.
Nevada. This bed will contain sunflower, rocky mountain beeplant and procumbent pigweed.
Wisconsin. This is an area in the back of my small yard where I had grown some natives last year and am putting in another small area adjacent to the first one this year (prep work was done last fall). Photo by Maggie Honig.
Wisconsin. We removed two ornamental bushes behind our house during a siding project and instead of replacing them we decided to plant a pollinator garden. To help with the planting, we laid out grid lines using twine.
Ohio. Adding/Removing plants in current bird sanctuary making it a natural area with feeders off to the side and adding stepping stones to both sides. Photo by Michelle Reichenbach.
Rhode Island. I moved to RI in January 2026 finding a massive lawn and not many native species. This is the before picture of part of the front yard. Photo by Kathy Fell.
Ohio. This plan shows how I intend to make our (very small!) apartment back deck more bird friendly this year. I plan to plant Echinacea seeds in two large pots since this species is native to my area of the US.
Missouri. In the Fall of 2025 I have removed Butterfly bushes and daylilies from this area. I am replacing them with native plants and bushes. Photo by Regina Garrett.
North Carolina. New pussy willow will support a variety of wildlife. Photo by Carla Hanson.
Georgia. Starting Painted Buckeye (Aesculus sylvatica) seeds in September 2025. The buckeye will replace the Thorny Olive (Elaegnus pungens) bush which was removed in October 2025.
Maryland. Putting in Bluestem Goldenrod, VA Mtn Mint, E. Columbine 3x ea. Took out grass last fall for leaves to drop overwinter. Photo by Ronda Martinez.
New York. I planted a bunch of native plants this winter to fill in my front garden beds.
New York. I am removing lambs ear to expand bed started last year and adding Monarda and milkweed.
California. At my new house, I am replacing the ancient backyard swimming pool with a meadow of native grasses and wildflowers. Attaching a “before” shot from January (the pool has since been removed 🙂
Michigan. Starting seedlings to add more plants for birds. Photo by April Lankford.
Tennessee. This is the area I want to focus on this year for adding native species that will benefit birds, butterflies, and other members of the local ecosystem. I need to remove invasives first, then begin planting. Photo by Anna-Marie Settine.
Wisconsin. These are native plant seeds that have been stratifying in my refridgerator for various amounts of time, based on recommendations on the Prairie Moon website and my own identifications of the seeds collected. Note that seed collection was always done with permission, if it was not on my own property. Photo by Maggie Honig.
Maryland. Just getting started on transforming this 20×20 barren yard to what I hope will someday be a bird-friendly oasis. The previous owners put down playground mulch stuff, so I’m really starting from scratch! I planted a dogwood and viburnum this weekend, and I’m already learning a lot. Photo by Joan Walker.
Florida. Part of my pollinator garden is already attracting wildlife.
New Jersey. My newly bought seed bag in front of the area I will be filling with my new wildflower garden! More natives are hiding under the leaves and will reappear soon. Photo by Kate Shiflett.
Texas. Three of my four American Beauty Berry bush’s (planted last fall) made it through the winter. Going to replant #4 in a few weeks!
Massachusetts. Creating a 4’x8′ raised bed for native plants in my front yard.
Massachusetts. This is a mess of a spot with rocks, a struggling black eyed Susan, more rocks and hostas. Also a very large groundhog hole at the top. I’d like to create a rock garden supportive of birds and insects.
Field where new seeds were sown.
California. I have approximately one acre that was a weed patch. I planted wild sunflower and wild flowers in 3 rows with the idea they will reseed each year and provide birds with a seed and bug source each spring and summer. Photo by Brad Gabor.
Picture window of garden planning.
Kentucky. I just moved in December from Texas to Kentucky! This year I am starting seeds and repairing birdhouses while planning the new backyard habitat for birds and bees. Photo by Beth Hartmann.
Milk jugs where seeds are started.
Pennsylvania. Winter sowing plants for transplanting. Photo by Shannon Stirling.
Alberta. I plan to plant 4 patches of native flowers and grasses as outlined in the diagram. I have 2 previous patches that are coming along. The oldest patch has spread into its surroundings. Photo by Heather Dempsey.
Illinois. The only turf grass left anywhere in my yard. I want to shrink it and add native grasses & sedges so the bluebird house nearby will be more attractive to potential residents.
New York. I am building upon the patch I started “unlawning” last year.
Garden space with new additions drawn ontop.
Ohio. Our new old house has a neglected backyard, which is getting replanted with native pollinator-friendly plants, We’re also putting up feeders. Photo by Mary Walsh.
Meadow with sky.
Maine. This is the field we are planting one acre of beneficial insect seeds with a no-till seeder this spring. Photo by Dee Hawsley.
Map of a proposed garden.
Vermont. This picture is a drawn plan for the plants in my garden this spring. Photo by William Custer.
Maryland. Continue converting an existing lawn into a bird & butterfly garden. These were the past two years gardens.
Maryland. 2026 Plans. Continue converting an existing lawn into a bird & butterfly garden. Adding more salvias and lobelias to attract hummingbirds.
North Carolina. This black and blue salvia will help attract hummingbirds. Photo by Carla Hanson.
Michigan. This is an area of lawn that exists between two flowerbeds. One is a part sun garden on a slope and the other is a shade garden beneath an oak. The grass is unruly by the chain link fence and I plan to connect the two gardens, removing more lawn, and plant some part sun and shade natives there.
Michigan. I have hired a professional native plant landscaper to transform these garden beds into full native plant gardens. This will involve removing all of the non-native shrubs and plants, planting all native shrubs and plants, and adding some flowering trees to the front yard.
Virginia. The tree seedlings are located in an old, leaky fish pond area and will be donated to the upcoming Tree Steward sale. Photo by JoAnn Dalley.
New garden cardboard mulched under bird feeder.
Pennsylvania. Last fall I sheet mulched this area so that this spring, when I removed the bird cam, I could install native/keystone plantings. Have a few species in mind and can’t wait to get started! Photo by Trudy Phillips.
Open space where plants will be addd.
Missouri. This area had a dying oak leak hydrangea that I removed. I intend to plant several spicebush here in the shade provided by the bald cypress. Photo by Maureen Thomas-Murphy.
Photo collage of gardens.
New York. This year I am excited to expand an area of my yard and plant native tall grasses. I am also hoping to create a solar water feature made from recycled metal buckets and tubs. Photo by Patricia Zamperlin.
Map of a proposed garden.
Illinois. We have a large property and I am growing native plants in three gardens. I have included a map of our property. Photo by Kathy Rice-Trumble.
Plant list by name.
Illinois. Pictured is a key to the plants that correspond to the Map and will be added. Photo by Kathy Rice-Trumble.
Open space where plants will be addd.
New York. This is an empty space in the back that is generally meadowed – I am going to leave it medowed and plant a pollinator patch beside it. Photo by Danielle Phillips.
Open space where plants will be addd.
Washington. This spot is plagued by creeping buttercups. I’m hoping to find shade loving native plants to replace them. Photo by Louise Iwasyk
Open space where plants will be addd.
Oregon. Adding perennial pollinator plants to established shrubs and small tree.
Alberta. I added a new bird feeder and post yesterday tho just above freezing. I gathered some seeds at a nursery in Friday and hope to start them indoors today or tomorrow. Had to remove a dying bush from the area depicted.
PA. This old wheelbarrow/plantar has always been planted with annuals, but this year I want to try native perennials — Lanceleaf Coreopsis (yellow, shade tolerant, 1.5 ft blooming in early Summer), Blue Wood Aster (a ground cover blooming in late Summer and early Fall, tolerating light shade), Bee Balm (red flower on 1-4ft stems and blooms May through Sept), and Black Eyed Susan (yellow blooms on 1-3ft stems Summer through Fall). This plantar, which is partially shaded by several shrubs, is on the west side of our property and gets afternoon and evening sun. Photo by Kathie Gifford.
Maryland. Returning participant who added containers and space for native perennials and fruiting shrubs. Photo by Margaret Chang.
Texas. Planting the potted plants from the Garden for Birds project from last year and adding more native flowering plants.
Texas. Adding new places for the birds to gather, adding a vegetable garden (they get the bugs), and adding solar fountains for the hummingbirds.
New York. Here is our sad front garden! I’ve currently got 2 blueberry bushes here. A few very small (5 inches tall or so) dogwoods and a few other native trees to be removed and replanted in the back. I have a hydrangea on the other side, with plans to add some cone flowers, maybe a cardinal flower set with some morning glories to climb the steps. More to come! Photo by Danielle Phillips.
Tennessee. Each red-bordered area represents a space in which native plants and trees will be planted for birds to forage and nest in. Each blue-bordered and orange-bordered square represents a space in which water features will be added or relocated to offer places for the birds to drink and bathe. Photo by Rebekah Frost.
Maryland. Returning participant who added containers and space for native perennials and fruiting shrubs. Photo by Margaret Chang.
Maryland. Returning participant who added containers and space for native perennials and fruiting shrubs. Photo by Margaret Chang.
Virginia. Digital”shopping” list of native pollinators to add to my current garden for 2026. Photo by Debra Kaastra.
Ontario. The plan is to create a bird friendly garden around our current feeding area using native plants grown from seed and locally sourced plants and reducing the current “lawn.” Photo by Emma Shaw.
Virginia. The spring water jug is heeled in with mulch and 6 wildflower species seeds are growing inside. Photo by JoAnn Dalley.
Tennessee. Native milkweed planted last year has returned luxuriously at far end of bed. Tiger lilies and lamb’s quarters and zinnias coming along with volunteer milkweed in foreground. All to attract pollinators for bird support. Photo by Marcia Donovan.
Washington. I plan to remove the grass around the stepping stones and replace it with native strawberries, twinflower and other low native vegetation. Photo by Diane Cunnington.
Michigan. Shade garden installed in 2025 with Packera aurea , Columbine and Chokeberry in bloom. This year I will add Carex blanda, Black Cohosh and Cinnamon ferns. Photo by Beth Toftey.
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