Before you begin, think about the four basic needs of wildlife: food, water, cover, and space. Study the existing features of your land and see what needs are already being met, then decide what you would like to add.

1. Landscaping 3 to 4 B efore you begin, think about
the four basic needs of
wildlife: food, water, cover, and
space. Study the existing
Acres For Wildlife features of your land and see
what needs are already being
For more nature habitat information met, then decide what you
Visit these helpful websites:
would like to add.
A sketch of your property will
be a big help, and so will notes
about soil conditions, average
A Plant's Home rainfall, amount of sunlight,
A Bird's Home wind direction, and climate
A Homesteader's Home zone.
Remember that you don’t
have to do everything at once.
A budget and a timetable will
help you put your plans in
perspective and prioritize your
improvements.
The library, your local
Cooperative Extension office,
bookstores, nurseries, and the
WindStar Wildlife Institute can
all provide information on what
plants will do well in your area
and what wildlife you can
expect to attract.
With 3 to 4 acres, the size of
property around which our
sample landscape is designed,
you may feel that you already
have plenty of “space." This
term means something
different to wildlife than it does
to people, however.
What a joy it is to live in a home with some
surrounding acreage – it gives you countless For wild creatures, their
choices for landscaping. Sometimes, however, so space has to include sufficient
many choices can be overwhelming and leave you food, water, cover, and safe
wondering where to start. places to raise a family.
One way to narrow your focus is to decide to The required range varies
enhance your landscape for wildlife. from species to species. Voles
thrive when there are as many
© WindStar Wildlife Institute Page 1 A Plant's Home

2. as 35 per acre, but even one Groups of plants are Keep in mind the mature size
family of foxes would feel generally more attractive to of any selection, and whether it
crowded in an area that size. wildlife than single specimens, will block a view or crowd a
and with a large property you structure.
have the opportunity to
Be Different landscape with clusters of
One of the best ways to vegetation. Shrubs Produce Berries
enhance property for wildlife is There are also many kinds of
to offer as much diversity as Evergreen windbreaks are a shrubs to choose from,
possible. When choosing plants, good example. Planted in providing a lower layer of
strive for a variety of heights, masses, these trees are vegetation. Those in our chart
bloom times, food value (seeds, striking in appearance are native plants selected for
nuts, fruit, twigs), growth throughout the year, and offer their wildlife value. Most
habits (dense, open), evergreen valuable winter cover for wildlife, produce berries, some of which
and deciduous leaves. as well as seeds for birds. will persist into winter to supply
important cold-weather
The more choices you offer, As an extra bonus, they can nourishment.
the more species you are likely indeed block cold winds. Shown
to attract. Getting your in the sample plan are With some acreage to work
neighbors interested in groupings of Colorado blue with, you have the chance to
enhancing their properties at spruce (Picea pungens), white set aside large areas for the
the same time will increase the pine (Pinus strobus), and red meadows that wildlife
range available for larger cedar (Juniperus viginiana). appreciates so much but has
animals and offer additional less and less opportunity to
resources. For the unspecified evergreen find. Whether filled with flowers
screen near the house, consider or grasses, meadows offer
broadleaf evergreens like plenty of cover and food. There
Go Native American holly (Ilex opaca), are wildflower seed mixes
WindStar emphasizes “native" mountain laurel (Kalmia available for all parts of the
plants because they have latifolia), or Oregon grape country, and a variety of grains
evolved with wildlife to become (Mahonia aquifolium). and warm season grasses to
highly suited to its needs. They choose from.
are also hardier, requiring fewer
chemicals to keep them healthy. Reduce Spraying Our design uses switchgrass,
At the same time, there are Trees for the fruit orchard millet, grain sorghum, clover,
many nonnative species that can be chosen to suit your and buckwheat. Warm season
may attract your interest, and taste buds, but select cultivars grass selections can include
your final design should reflect that have been bred to require little bluestem (Schizachyrium
your own taste and preferences. as little chemical treatment as scoparium), blue grama
possible. Sprays can affect (Bouteloua gracilis), and Indian
We recommend, however, that birds and beneficial insects, as ricegrass (Ozyzopsis
you do some research first. well as those that you are humenoides).
“Exotic" plants may become trying to eliminate.
invasive and can get out of
control more easily when you Deciduous trees will lose their Songbirds Love Sunflowers
have a large property to leaves in winter, but provide The areas set aside to be
supervise. Once established, food, flowers, nesting sites in planted with sunflowers will lift
they are very difficult to spring, and shady relief from your spirits every time you see
eliminate. the summer sun. them in bloom, and delight
© WindStar Wildlife Institute Page 2 A Plant's Home

3. songbirds of all kinds as the chemicals, so it is in your own The extra size and depth mean
seeds ripen on the flower heads. interest to limit its size. that it won’t freeze as quickly as
a birdbath, and because it is at
You may have noticed that Ground covers can be good ground level, it can benefit many
while there is an area of lawn alternatives to traditional lawn. different species. You can add
included around the house, it Some choices to consider are fish and a selection of water
represents only a small portion juniper (Juniperus horizontalis), plants, and should include some
of the property. cotoneaster (Cotoneaster rocks or logs for sunning and
horizontalis), and periwinkles perching.
Mowed grass is nice for (Vinca major/minor).
people to walk on, but offers There are many pond-making
almost no value to wildlife. In Water is necessary for all kits on the market, as well as
addition, more lawn means more living things, and a pond is a books on how to build one
work, expense, and use of wonderful way to provide it. yourself.
3 to 4 Acre Habitat Design
© WindStar Wildlife Institute Page 3 A Plant's Home

4. A birdbath near feeding areas Bluebirds are territorial, so the or build nesting boxes
will attract even birds that houses should be placed at designed for specific kinds of
don’t eat seeds, and moving least 100 yards apart. birds, and mount them
water (a drip, waterfall, or appropriately.
fountain) is especially
appealing. Build a Nest Those that birds prefer are
There are other birds that will simple in design and muted in
Be sure that any bath is no gratefully nest in man-made color. Always place houses,
more than 3" deep and includes houses (nesting boxes), but feeders, or birdbaths within 5'
a safe place to perch. different species have different to 15' of a tree or shrub to
nesting requirements. Choose allow escape from predators.
Add a Brush Pile
Rock piles, fallen logs, brush Recommended Plants
piles, and dead trees (snags) –
these are not features that
first come to mind when Evergreen Trees Scientific Name Height Landscape and Wildlife Value
American holly Ilex opaca 40' berries
planning a landscape. Eastern hemlock Tsuga canadensis 40'-70' seeds, twigs
Eastern red cedar Juniperus virginiana 30'-50' berries
Eastern white pine Pinus strobus 80' seeds, sap, cover, fast growing
In nature, however, these are Sweetbay magnolia Magnolia virginiana 15'-30' seeds, twigs
valuable resources for wildlife. Virginia pine Pinus virginiana 50'-80' seeds, twigs
Too often people tidy up their Deciduous Trees Scientific Name Height Landscape and Wildlife Value
Autumn olive Osmanthus americanus 30' flowers, berries
yards and remove them. Kept in Beach plum Prunus americana 30' flowers, fruit
areas away from the house Beech Fagus grandifolia 50'-100' nuts, sap, buds
Bitternut hickory Carya cordiformis 40'-60' fall color, nuts, sap
behind attractive vegetation, or Black gum Nyssa sylvatica 30'-60' fall color, fruit
covered with a vine such as Crab apple Malus angustifolia 30' flowers, fruit
Dogwood Cornus florida 15'-30' flowers, fall color, berries, twigs
Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus Green ash Fraxinus pennsylvanica 50'-60' fall color, seeds, fast growing
quinquefolia), they will attract Hackberry Celtis occidentalis 40'-60' fruit, twigs
Mountain ash Sorbus americana 30' berries
many small wildlife species. Mulberry Morus rubra 60' berries
Persimmon Diospyros virginiana 35'-60' fruit
Pin oak Quercus palustris 60'-80' fall color, acorns
Red maple Acer rubrum 60'-90' fall color, seeds, sap
Nature Trails River birch Betula nigra 30'-50' fruit, sap, buds, peeling bark
Shadbush Amelanchier arvorea 15'-30' berries, twigs
Paths will let you explore your Sugar maple Acer saccharum 70'-100' fall color, sap, seeds
wildlife habitat more enjoyably, Sweet gum Liquidambar styraciflua 60'-100' fall color, seeds
Weeping willow Salix babylonica 30'-40' (nonnative) fruit, twigs
and make it easy to incorporate Wild cherry Prunus serotina 80' fruit, sap
a bluebird trail. The number of Willow oak Quercus phellos 50'-80' acorns
bluebirds had declined
dramatically before people Shrubs Scientific Name Height Landscape and Wildlife Value
Bayberry Myrica pensylvanica 5'-12' berries
stepped in with nesting boxes Blackberries Rubus fruticosas 3'-6' berries
to replace tree cavities that Buttonbush Cephalanthus occidentalis 3'-6' nectar, seeds
Chickasaw plum Prunus angustifolia 5'- 15' fruit
were lost to increasing Elderberry Sambucus canadensis 5'-12' flowers, berries, nectar
development. Flame leaf sumac Rhus copallina 10'-25' fall color, seeds
Gray dogwood Cornus racemosa 10'-15' flowers, berries, twigs
Rasberries Rubus idaeus 2'-5' berries
Because bluebirds are often Red twig dogwood Cornus alba Siberica 6' berries, winter color
Shrub rose Rosa palustris 5'-8' flowers, berries
displaced by more aggressive Snowberry Symphoricarpos albus 1'-4' berries
birds, the trail lets you monitor Spicebush Lindera benzoin 6'-12 ' berries
Sweet pepper bush Clethra alnifolia 9' flowers, nectar
the boxes and take action Winterberry Ilex verticillata 5'- 10' berries, winter color
against any predators.
© WindStar Wildlife Institute Page 4 A Plant's Home

5. Many people already enjoy birds, but there are many
maintaining bird feeders, and a selections of seeds and nectars
designated area near the house available.
lets you watch the activity and
keep the feeders easily filled. There are specific plants
Mimicking nature, feeders (see list below) for butterfly
should be placed at different and hummingbird gardens and
heights. your local nursery and mail
order catalogues can provide a
Overall, black oil sunflower seemingly endless array of
seed is the most popular with choices.
Flowers for Hummingbirds and Butterflies
Bee Balm ..................................................Monarda didyma
Butterfly bush ........................................Buddleia
Butterfly weed........................................Asclepias tuberosa
Cardinal flower........................................Lobelia cardinalis
Coral honeysuckle ..................................Lonicera sempervirens
Cosmos.....................................................Cosmos sulphureous
Cross vine ................................................Bignonia capreolata
Joe-Pye weed ..........................................Eupatorium spp.
Lantana ....................................................Lantana camara
Pentas.......................................................Pentas lanciolata
Purple coneflower ...................................Echinacea purpurea
Scarlet sage ...........................................Salvia coccinea
Native Plants for a Shady Garden This article was written by
Maryland Master Wildlife Habitat
Alumroot ..................................................Heuchera americana Naturalist Cathy Gilleland.
Bellflower ..................................................Campanula rotundifolia For more information or for the
Bleeding heart ........................................Dicentra eximia name of a Master Wildlife
Habitat Naturalist in your area,
Bugbane ...................................................Cimicifuga racemosa please contact:
Goatsbeard.............................................Aruncus dioicus
WindStar Wildlife Institute
Jack-in-the-Pulpit .................................Arisaema triphyllum
Oakleaf hydrangea ................................Hydrangea quercifolia E-mail: wildalife@windstar.org
http://www.windstar.org
Sweet shrub ............................................Calycanthus floridus
Strawberry bush ....................................Euonymus americanus
Turtlehead ...............................................Chelone glabra WindStar Wildlife Institute is a
national, non-profit, conservation
Violet .........................................................Viola spp. organization whose mission is to
help individuals and families
White wood aster ..................................Aster divaricatus establish or improve the wildlife
Wild indigo ................................................Baptisa australis habitat on their properties.
© WindStar Wildlife Institute Page 5 A Plant's Home