Page 1 A Plant's Home© WindStar Wildlife Institute

For more nature habitat information

Visit these helpful websites:

A Plant's HomeA Bird's HomeA Homesteader's Home

Landscaping for wildlife has become a focusfor people who love nature and are concerned

about the environment.

Maybe you’d like to become part of thismovement too, but you have only a small

amount of property to call your own.

If you think that it seemsunlikely that you could do

anything that would really makea difference, nothing could befarther from the truth. Withsome careful thought andplanning, you can design ahabitat that will attract anumber of wildlife species, bringyou hours of enjoyment, andadd interest to your landscapethroughout the year.

Four ElementsAll wildlife has four essential

needs: food, water, cover, andspace. Although you may not beable to provide the amount ofspace needed for largemammals, you can certainlyoffer an attractive environmentfor creatures like birds,butterflies, frogs, squirrels, andrabbits.

While not as attention-grabbing as deer, foxes, or otherlarge animals, these smallerwildlife species are also

suffering from loss of habitatand traditional food sources.They need your help.

1/8 AcreThis brochure builds on a

landscape plan for a townhousewith 1/8 acre of land. Thesuggestions offered are just toget you started, and to let yousee some of the possibilities.

Your own property andpersonal preferences willinfluence what you include inyour habitat, and you will findmany alternative plantsuggestions in catalogues andat local nurseries.

Your main concern should beto provide variety, because thatwill make it possible for you toattract the greatest number ofspecies. Wildlife make differentchoices for food and shelter justas people do, and yourlandscape needs to reflect thatdiversity.

Landscaping 1/8Acre For Wildlife

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emphasizes the use of "native"plants because they haveevolved to satisfy the needs oflocal wildlife, as well as generallybeing hardier and lesssusceptible to disease.

However, there are manyvaluable non-native species andcultivars, and you should makeyour final choices based onwhat is pleasing to you.

Evaluate SurroundingsNo matter what size property

you are landscaping, it’simportant to do somehomework before you begin.

Take the time to becomefamiliar with the type of soil youhave, how much sunlightreaches the yard, what amountof rainfall is typical for the area,and what climate zone you livein (maps are available in plantcatalogues, at nurseries, orfrom your local CooperativeExtension Service).

Always remember to thinkabout the mature size ofwhatever plants you areconsidering, and whether or notthey will block a view or crowd anexisting structure as they grow.

Although it can be dauntingto read the scientific names ofplants, we are including them toavoid confusion when you goshopping. “Common" names canvary from region to region, sorelying on them can meancoming home with somethingthat you never intended to buy.

Latin names are also usefulwhen you are researching aparticular plant to see if it’ssuited to your locale.

Scale For SpaceTrees are the largest

element in most landscapedesigns. In our plan, the treeshave been chosen for theirsmaller size, as well as theirvalue for wildlife.

This keeps the scale of thedesign appropriate for thespace, and means that thetrees won’t shade out otherplantings.

An exception to the smallersize is the black gum (Nyssasylvatica). This tree is large,growing 30' to 60', but itsberries are popular with birdsand squirrels. In addition, itsred fall color starts early andlasts a long time.

Try Grouping TreesThe American arborvitae, or

northern white cedar (Thujaoccidentalis), can also reach40', but it is very slow-growing.Grouped evergreens provideprivacy and a windbreak foryou, as well as food and coverfor wildlife.

Dogwood (Cornus) offersspring flowers and fall berries,while sourwood (Oxydendrumarboreum) has flowers andfruit in summer, color in thefall, and interesting barkthrough the winter.

The dwarf cherry (Prunus)can be any one of the manyornamental varieties available,all of which have lovely springblooms and attractive fruit.

A variety of shrubs form thebackbone of this landscapedesign, providing benefits forwildlife as well as seasonalinterest for you.

In spring the garden will befilled with the color and scentof lilac (Syringa)accompanying the dogwoodand cherry blossoms andother early flowers.

Moving into summer, you’llenjoy the blooms of coralberry(Symphoricarpos orbiculatus),hibiscus (Malvaceae), sweetpepper bush (Clethra alnifolia),and abelia (Abelia grandiflora),a special favorite ofbutterflies.

Autumn is the time forberries, and you can watch thebirds coming to feast oncoralberry, yew (Taxus),pyracantha (Pyracanthacoccinea), inkberry (Ilexglabra), red twig dogwood(Cornus siberica), and holly(Ilex).

Winter doesn’t have to be adull time in the garden. Someof the berries will persist intothe colder months, providingvaluable winter food for wildlife,and the red twig dogwoods willsupply a bright spot of color.

Many of the plants areevergreen, including the yew,arborvitae, holly, and inkberry.They will give the yard interestand structure while offeringcover for wildlife.

Instead of traditional lawn,which requires effort tomaintain and is costly to keephealthy, consider using groundcovers like ivy or vinca to fillsome areas.

Those spots in the yard thatare shaded can benefit fromplantings of ferns and hostas,or other shade-tolerantperennials.

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Flowerbeds For WildlifeWhile shrubs and trees supply

the framework for yourlandscape, choosing plants forthe flowerbeds lets you playmore freely with colors andtextures.

The choices are almostendless, and you can find manyselections that will beattractive to hummingbirds,butterflies, and other insects.

Grouping pants into blocks ofcolor and varying the heights

will be more pleasing to the eyeand get more attention fromwildlife.

Vines are important sourcesof food and cover for wildlife.The trumpet honeysuckle(Lonicera semervirens) in ourhabitat plan will attracthummingbirds to its lovelyscarlet flowers, as will the crossvine (Bignonia capreolata).Vines can help to disguise anunattractive fence, or you maywant to add some decorativefencing or trellises for support.

Attractive GrassesOrnamental and native

grasses are a versatileaddition to the garden. Theyare low maintenance plantsand come in a variety ofheights, the plumed seedheadsadd interest throughoutautumn and winter, and theyoffer food and cover for wildlife.

In our plan, ornamentalgrasses are shown surroundinga fish pond. Water is necessaryfor all wildlife, and a small pondis a beautiful way to provide it.There are kits available in allshapes and sizes, or you canmake your own with a plasticliner or garbage can lid sunk inthe soil. Water plants can beadded if the pond is deepenough. A bird bath or fountainis a decorative alternative.

Use ImaginationAdditions to your garden are

limited only by your imaginationand your budget. Paths allowaccess to all parts of the yardwithout compacting the soil ordisturbing plants. They can bemade from many materials,including brick, steppingstones, crushed rock, or mulch.Benches offer a chance to restand watch your wildlife visitors.

Bird nesting boxes andfeeders will attract manyfeathered guests. Be sure thatthe nesting boxes are built forspecific species, and severalfeeders placed at differentheights will be the mostsuccessful. Black oil sunflowerseed is the best overall food tooffer. There should be a tree orshrub within 5' to 15' of anesting box or feeder to allowescape from predators.

1/8 Acre Habitat Design

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Portables Work

If you are renting anapartment your space may beeven more limited than the 1/8acre of our design, but you canstill attract wildlife by using"portable" landscaping.

Window boxes can overflowwith annual flowers that supplynectar to butterflies andhummingbirds. If you have abalcony or patio, a half barrelcan be converted to a miniaturepond or fountain. There are

many plants, including dwarftrees, that will happily grow incontainers. Some city dwellershave even created beautifulrooftop gardens.

Weight is a consideration onbalconies, but on the groundfloor you can make use ofvertical space. Long plantersstacked up behind one anothercan create a wall of color. Thereare flat-backed pots that canbe attached directly to existingwalls, and others designed to fit

Recommended Plants

The following suggested plants are a very small sampling ofpossibilities. For additional suggestions, consult guidebooks,a nature center or extension service, local nurseries, or theInternet.

SMALL TREES

Serviceberry ..............................................Amelanchier arvoreaFringetree ..................................................Chionanthus virginianaSweetbay magnolia .................................Magnolia virginianaWitchazel....................................................Hamamelis virginianaJunipers......................................................Juniperus

SHRUBS

Virginia sweetspire ..................................Itea virginicaMountain laurel ........................................Kalmia latifoliaSpicebush ..................................................Lindera bensoinBayberry .....................................................Myrica pensylvanicaAzaleas and rhododendrons

FAVORITE FLOWERS FOR HUMMINGBIRDS AND BUTTERFLIES

Lantana ......................................................Lantana camaraPentas.........................................................Pentas lanciolataCosmos.......................................................Cosmos suphureusJoe-Pye weed ............................................Eupatorium sppPurple coneflower.....................................Echinacea purpureaBlack-eyed Susan ...................................RudbeckiaButterfly weed..........................................Asclepias tuberosaButterfly bush ..........................................BuddleiaCardinal flower ..........................................Lobelia cardinalisBee balm.....................................................Monarda didymaScarlet sage .............................................Salvia coccinea

This article was written byMaryland Master Wildlife Habitat

Naturalist Cathy Gilleland.

For more information or for thename of a Master Wildlife

Habitat Naturalist in your area,please contact:

WindStar Wildlife Institute

E-mail: wildlife@windstar.orghttp://www.windstar.org

WindStar Wildlife Institute is anational, non-profit, conservationorganization whose mission is to

help individuals and familiesestablish or improve the wildlife

habitat on their properties.

over railings. Vines can climbtrellises, while seed and nectarfeeders can be hung fromalmost anything.

Team With Neighbors

One of the best ways tolandscape for wildlife when yourspace is limited is to team upwith neighbors. One personmight have a spot for acontainer pond, another asunny deck for flowers, whilesomeone else could grow acouple of dwarf trees in a smallpatio yard. With cooperation,the essentials for wildlife can beprovided by adjacent properties.

Adopt Common Areas

For larger gardening projects,perhaps you could getpermission to landscape a"common area," or a nearbypublic space. Even a few feetalong a sidewalk can be filledwith life and color that will bringpleasure to everyone.