Laidback Gardener Tip of the Day

Winter Berries to Attract Birds

To attract a variety of birds in winter, feeders are not enough. You also have to make sure that there is fruit available at all times. Here are a few trees, shrubs and vines whose fruit persist through the winter and therefore attract a wide range of birds including waxwings, cardinals, and grosbeaks.

Alternate-leaved dogwood (Cornus alternifolius) – Zone 3

American silverberry (Elaeagnus commutata) – Zone 1b

Bayberry (Myrica pensylvanica) – Zone 2

Bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) – Zone 2

Boston Ivy (Parthenocissus tricuspidata) – Zone 4b

Buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica) – Zone 2

Buffaloberry (Shepherdia argentea) – Zone 2

Carrion flower (Smilax herbacea) – Zone 3

Chokeberry (Aronia spp.) – Zone 4

Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster spp.) – Zones 3-9

Crabapple (small-fruited varieties) (Malus spp.) – Zone 3

Edible viburnum (Viburnum edule) – Zone 1

Hackberry (Celtis occidentalis) – Zone 4

Hawthorn (Crataegus spp.) – Zone 3

Highbush cranberry (Viburnum trilobum) – Zone 2

Hobblebush (Viburnum alnifolium) – Zone 3

Hornbeam (Carpinus caroliniana) – zone 3b

Ironwood (Ostrya virginiana) – Zone 3

Japanese barberry (Berberis thunbergii) – Zone 4

Juniper (Juniperus spp.) – Zone 2-7

Manitoba maple (Acer negundo) – Zone 2

Mountain ash (Sorbus americana) – Zone 2

Mountain holly (Nemopanthus mucronatus) – Zone 2

Nannyberry (Viburnum lentago) – Zone 2

Ninebark (Physocarpus spp.) – Zone 2

Poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans) – Zone 4

Roses (Rosa spp.) – Zone 2-8

Sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides) – Zone 2b

Snowberry (Symphoricarpos spp.) – Zone 2-5

Staghorn sumac (Rhus typhina) – Zone 3

Sweet gale (Myrica gale) – Zone 2

Virgin’s bower (Clematis virginianus) – Zone 3

Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia) – Zone 3

Wild grape (Vitis riparia) – Zone 3

Winterberry holly (Ilex verticillata) – Zone 3

Wintergreen (Gaultheria procumbens) – Zone 2

Witherod viburnum (Viburnum cassinoides) – Zone 3