4. Blackhaw Viburnum
Native to the Central and Eastern US, blackhaw viburnum (Viburnum prunifolium) is a small tree or large shrub that can grow up to 20 feet tall and wide.
This deciduous species has a rounded shape and leaves that turn beautiful shades of red and purple in autumn.
Purplish-black berries ripen in fall and can remain on the branches throughout winter, providing food for migratory and resident birds as well as squirrels and chipmunks.
The berries of blackhaw viburnum are enjoyed by birds like American robins, blue jays (Cyanocitta cristata), northern cardinals, northern mockingbirds, ruffed grouse (Bonasa umbellus), sparrows (Passerellidae), and wild turkeys.
Hardy in USDA Hardiness Zones 3 to 9, blackhaw viburnum can be grown in full sun or part shade, and in a variety of soil types as long as drainage is good.
‘Forest Rouge’ is a cultivar of V. prunifolium that has a more oval shape than the straight species and is known for its excellent fall color, with leaves turning maroon in autumn.
Interested in finding out more about the members of the Viburnum genus?
Learn more about the wonderful world of viburnums here.
5. Black Hawthorn
Black hawthorn (Crataegus douglasii) is native to the Pacific Northwest, Alaska, and other northern states of the US, as well as parts of Canada.
This deciduous tree grows up to 35 feet tall and wide, and has an upright, multi-stemmed growth habit, with brilliant, orangish-red fall color.
Its pome-style fruits, called “haws,” ripen to purplish black in late summer and remain on the tree throughout winter – or until they are eaten by the birds.
American robins, cedar waxwings (Bombycilla cedrorum), fox sparrows (Passerella iliaca), and ruffed grouse are among the birds likely to put the haws to good nutritional use.
These trees produce thorns, but don’t be put off by this prickly feature. These thorns help protect certain birds from predators, and allow others, such as shrikes (Laniidae) to kill their prey – rodents.
Plus, you might also want to consider including black hawthorn in your defensive planting strategy.
Grow black hawthorn in USDA Hardiness Zones 4 to 8, in full sun or part shade, and in a variety of well-draining, moist soils.
There are many different types of wildlife-friendly hawthorn trees, and species in the Crataegus genus can be found throughout the Northern Hemisphere.
Find out more about growing hawthorn trees.
6. Common Hackberry
Common hackberry (Celtis occidentalis) can grow to be 40 to 60 feet tall and wide, providing high branches for birds to perch in.
This tree is native to central and eastern Canada, and the west central and eastern US.
Mature trees have a rounded or pyramidal shape, with deciduous leaves that turn yellow in fall.
Hackberry trees produce berry-like drupes that turn a deep purple hue when ripe and are extremely attractive to birds and other wildlife.
Common hackberries provide winter food for small mammals, and birds such as American robins, cedar waxwings, grouse, pheasants (Phasianidae), quail (Phasianoidea), and titmice (Baeolophus spp).
An excellent choice for wildlife gardeners in USDA Hardiness Zones 3 to 9, common hackberry grows in full sun, part shade, or full shade, isn’t fussy about soil type, and requires good drainage.
As for water, this tree thrives in moist conditions but tolerates occasional dryness.
If you want to add this tree’s winter berries to your winter wildlife menu, you’ll find four- to five-foot tall, bare root common hackberry trees available for purchase at Nature Hills Nursery.
If common hackberry isn’t the right plant for your bird and wildlife garden, consider another species from the Celtis genus, whose members are widespread across the globe.
Learn more about growing hackberries here.
7. Common Ninebark
Common ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius) is native to eastern Canada and the north central and eastern US, ranging as far west as Colorado.
Also known as “eastern ninebark” and “Atlantic ninebark,” this medium sized shrub reaches five to eight feet tall and six to 10 feet wide. Its blooms are similar to those of spirea.
With an upright, arching growth habit, common ninebark has deciduous leaves that change to copper and gold in fall and its peeling, reddish brown bark is extremely attractive in winter.
Common ninebark’s fruits are inflated capsules that start out dark red in color, fading to pinkish tan. These remain on the shrub during winter if not eaten by birds earlier.
These shrubs attract birds such as doves (Columbidae), finches (Fringillidae.), geese (Anatidae), and wild turkeys, and their branches are dense, so they provide good cover for birds and small mammals as well.
Common ninebark is hardy in USDA Hardiness Zones 2 to 8, grows in full sun to part shade, and requires good drainage.
It tolerates soils that are intermittently wet or prone to flooding, but can also grow in dry to medium moisture conditions.
Most species of ninebark are native to North America, though at least one (P. amurensis) is native to Asia. And there are also several cultivars of P. opulifolius of interest.
Summer Wine® ninebark aka ‘Seward’ is a P. opulifolius cultivar that has dark purple foliage, blooms in both spring and summer, and grows up to six feet tall and wide.
Summer Wine® ninebark is available from Nature Hills Nursery.
8. Common Snowberry
A deciduous, woody shrub, common snowberry (Symphoricarpos albus) grows to be six feet tall and wide.
Shrubs have an arching, rounded growth habit, with deciduous leaves that turn yellow in autumn.
Native to a large range of North America, this multi-stemmed shrub is graced with bright white, round berries during the cold months.
Many different types of birds enjoy these white berries in the cold of winter, including American robins, chickadees (Poecile spp.), grosbeaks, pine siskins (Spinus pinus), thrushes (Turdidae), towhees (Melozone and Pipilo spp.), and waxwings.
An all-round excellent choice for wildlife gardens, this member of the honeysuckle family has flowers that are highly attractive to pollinators, and its branches provide good habitat for birds and other wildlife as well.
Hardy in USDA Hardiness Zones 3 to 7, grow snowberry in full sun, in well-draining, moist to occasionally dry, non-granitic soils.
Sweet Sensation® snowberry is a dwarf hybrid cultivar that features deep pink berries. It tops out at three to four feet tall and wide.
You’ll find Sweet Sensation snowberry plants available at Nature Hills.
Common snowberry is one of about 15 species in the Symphoricarpos genus that go by the name of “snowberry” and are native to North America and China.
Read our article to learn more about snowberry shrubs.
9. Eastern Red Cedar
Eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana) is an evergreen coniferous tree that generally grows 30 to 60 feet tall and 10 to 20 feet wide, with some specimens growing up to 90 feet tall.
Not a true cedar, this juniper tree has an upright, pyramidal shape, and is native to Mexico, southeastern Canada, and the central and eastern US.
In fall, eastern red cedars produce blueish black seed cones that look like small berries. These remain on the trees throughout winter until foraged by birds or other wildlife.
Cedar waxwings and juncos (Junco spp.) are among the birds that love to eat these fruits, while small mammals will dine on them as well.
The dense foliage also provides good cover for both birds and small mammals.
Hardy in Zones 2 to 9, eastern red cedars can be grown in full sun to part shade and are adaptable to a variety of soil types as long as drainage is good.
Eastern red cedars are usually dioecious, meaning some specimens will produce female cones and others will produce male cones. For fruiting, you’ll need a male as well as a female.
Is this conifer and its winter berries what you need for your wild bird garden?
You’ll find live eastern red cedar trees available for purchase in an array of sizes at Nature Hills.
Looking for a similar option for the western US or Canada? Choose Rocky Mountain juniper instead.
Eastern red cedars and Rocky Mountain junipers are excellent wildlife-friendly options for North America, with many different cultivars in different shapes, sizes, and colors, growing as both trees and shrubs.
However, there are also many other juniper species native to other regions in the Northern Hemisphere and beyond.
Find information about growing junipers here.
10. Eastern Wahoo
Growing up to 20 feet tall and 25 feet wide, eastern wahoo (Euonymus atropurpureus) is a deciduous shrub that’s native to eastern Canada, as well as the eastern and central US.
The crown of this species has a flat-topped, irregular shape, and deciduous leaves that put on a fall show in shades of gold and burgundy.
This species makes an excellent bird- and wildlife-friendly North American native alternative to the invasive burning bush (E. alatus).
Eastern wahoo produces unique looking fruits that ripen to a dark red hue in fall and remain on trees in winter – unless the birds find them first.
Bird fans of these winter berries include brown thrashers (Toxostoma rufum), catbirds (Mimidae), eastern bluebirds, eastern towhees (Pipilo erythrophthalmus), northern cardinals, and northern flickers (Colaptes auratus).
Eastern wahoo thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 3 to 8, and prefers full sun or part shade, moist clay, loam, or sandy soils, and good drainage.
Also of note – these are tolerant of juglone and can be planted near black walnuts.
Do I hear you bird lovers shouting “woohoo!” for the winter berries of eastern wahoo?
The members of the Euonymous genus are widespread throughout the Northern Hemisphere and parts of the Southern Hemisphere.
Learn more about euonymus shrubs here.
11. Fragrant Sumac
Fragrant sumac (Rhus trilobata) is native to the western and central US, central Canada, and Mexico. This woody shrub grows to be six to 12 feet tall and four to six feet wide.
With deciduous leaves turning bright shades of orange, red, and purple in fall, fragrant sumac has an upright, ascending or spreading growth habit.
It produces clusters of small red berries in summer that remain on trees throughout winter – or until wildlife and birds feast on them.
Over 95 different species of birds eat the winter berries of sumac shrubs – including chickadees, tanagers (Thraupidae spp.), and woodpeckers (Picidae spp).
And while sumac berries don’t tend to be most birds’ first choice, they readily dine on them when other winter forage is sparse.
Hardy in Zones 4 to 6, fragrant sumac grows beautifully in full sun or dappled sunlight. It adapts to a wide range of well-draining soil types, and can handle moist to very dry conditions once established.
Fragrant sumac is dioecious, with plants producing either male or female flowers, so make sure to include both a male and a female specimen in your planting.
