Some favorites are clematis, sumac, dogwood, mulberry. By choosing the right plants you can provide both food and cover for garden birds, and even the most humble lawn and border can become an avian haven, says Nigel Colborn. Did you know that the bright red plumage that male Northern Cardinals don get that way from the carotenoid pigments found in red fruit? Plant evergreen trees or shrubs: If you want to attract cardinals to your yard, you might also consider planting thick greenery that they can use as a protected area in which to nest. In this article you’ll learn how to attract cardinals to your garden or backyard feeder.
Plants in your backyard that can attract cardinals include vines and shrubs. Even parts of southern Canada have been known to attract the cardinal. You can find a seed mix that is predominantly black-oil sunflower seeds, or you can make your own blend. For more bird articles, see the main Birds page. Tray style feeders are perfect for attracting Northern Cardinals. Plant red fruit-bearing plants. Offer nesting material : It's easier than it sounds. Some of their preferred plants include sumac, mulberry, and blueberry, all of which serve double duty as natural food sources.
Cardinals are attracted to dark colored berry bushes. To help you out, we’ve selected the native plants that common backyard birds depend on, so you can support them in your yard. Other accents, such as a colorful orange pot, a garden flag, or a painted bench, arbor, or trellis can also get orioles' attention and encourage a visit.
For a full list of plants that attract each type of bird, see the Bird Plants page. Keep in mind that cardinals will not use birdhouses, so do not bother to build or buy one if you want to attract cardinals.
Black-oil sunflower seed is a favorite of many birds, and cardinals love it.
Plant flowers in orange hues in your garden near nectar-producing blooms, or add an orange gazing ball for a burst of oriole-attracting color. For a full list of animal articles, see the Animals page. Some of these plants provide both shelter and food. Cardinals like to nest in well-protected areas such as the thickets of shrubs, hawthorn, grapevines, chematis, and dogwood. Chowing down on red berries helps males grow even brighter feathers which in turn helps him to attract mates. Plant cardinal-friendly landscaping in varied layers to provide thick cover at different heights up to 15-20 feet tall. Cardinals can be found in the north as far as Maine and parts of southern Canada. Here in the States, they are native all over the west, as far as South Dakota and Texas.