Winter Plants of Interest for Wildlife
Birds turn to native berries to fuel themselves for migration and to survive winter. The species also needs to pack on fat to travel to warmer climates or to withstand the cold as year-round- residents. Birds store fat under their breasts and under their wings.
Migrating is just one of the challenges facing birds in the fall. Fledglings are trying to get their bearings and some bird species molt before migrating. Birds that stay year-round also need to bulk up to buffer against the cold winter ahead.
During the fall, birds transition from eating insects, grubs, and caterpillars to high calorie berries. Songbirds prefer native berries that are packed with nutrients and fat. This is where gardeners can help by planting berry-producing shrubs and trees such as dogwoods, spicebush, viburnums, Virginia creeper, and pokeweed. All are good sources of high-quality energy.
Researchers have found that native species of viburnums like arrowwood (Viburnum dentatum), dockmackie (Viburnum acerifolium), and downy arrowwood (Viburnum rafinesquianum) are excellent sources of fats and proteins. Other excellent sources of fats and proteins are native hollies such as possumhaw (Ilex decidua), winterberry (Ilex verticillata), and American holly (Ilex opaca); and magnolias such as Magnolia virginiana, and Magnolia acuminata var. subcordata which grow well in Piedmont habitat. Another excellent source is (Cornus florida) flowering dogwood; it’s well adapted to our area. Several cultivars of Cornus florida are disease-resistant to powdery mildew.
Native plants depend on birds, the seeds germinate better after passing through birds’ digestive system. It keeps reintroducing the native species to the landscape. Availability of native berries decreases the likelihood of birds consuming non-native berry species and spreading these detrimental to the environment species of plants.
Information on how to plant native trees and shrubs is provided by the USDA Forest Service, Maryland Native Plant Society, Maryland Department of Natural Resources, local native plant nurseries and botanical gardens. Information on non-native invasive species is available from the same agencies and organizations.
In winter, consider leaving soft hollow stem plants standing. Several species of native bees overwinter in abandoned borer-beetle holes. Large carpenter bees are the biggest stem-nesting bees. Providing habitat in the garden keeps them away from wooden structures. The Xerxes Society has very good information on species of plants that provide quality stems for native bees.
A question on what is truly native to our area has come up at our public events. The College Park area is within the Piedmont Forest habitat and soils physiographic province, and in the Mid-Atlantic region. The Mid-Atlantic region has cold winters and hot summers. The plants adapted to this area and beneficial to wildlife are numerous. The choices available are increasing as the interest of the home gardeners to add native species expands demand for variety and color. Add some native species to your flower beds and observe the birds, butterflies, and bumblebees, to name a few, enjoying the bounty.
From the City's Bee City Committee