Gardeners keen to attract robins and other birds to their outdoor spaces will want to know Alan Titchmarsh's top fruit plants for birds. As the summer months arrive, many British homeowners are eager to attract various birds into their gardens, though achieving this may require creating a more welcoming environment for wildlife.
Those passionate about birds typically encourage visits by installing bird boxes, feeders, or purchasing ornate bird baths. While these methods prove effective, it might be worth considering a fresh strategy. Gardening expert Alan Titchmarsh recently revealed on his YouTube channel his leading recommendations for planting that will create a bird-friendly garden this year.
The video, entitled 'How to Transform Your Garden Into a Paradise for Birds!', features up to seven plants that will attract birds during this season, though one particularly caught attention. He explained: "Another way to encourage birds to come to your garden is to plant things they will find useful, particularly in terms of food."
With this advice in mind, gardeners ought to consider introducing a beautyberry, or callicarpa, a berry-producing plant that proves popular with species such as sparrows and robins. When positioned towards the rear of a border, they'll remain relatively inconspicuous initially, but come autumn they start to flourish and provide a delightful feature to your garden.
The expert also recommends firethorn and cotoneaster horizontalis as excellent examples of plants that attract birds due to their readily available fruits. He emphasises that their primary function is to provide sustenance for wildlife, and when the shrubs become busy with activity, gardeners ought to be pleased. He observed: "Don't be cross with birds for nicking your berries, that's half the reason why we plant them really."
To provide similar feeding opportunities, Titchmarsh recommended options such as crab apple trees, including the Golden Hornet crabapple variety, which offer both nourishment and an attractive feature for your garden. This particular tree variety usually produces a striking display of yellow fruit and can be accommodated in a reasonably sized garden without dominating the entire area. It's important to note that birds are especially attracted to fruit that has softened after ripening on the tree for a period.
The Royal Horticultural Society supports this approach of offering birds fruit-bearing plants, suggesting that an "ideal home" for them involves introducing shrubs and climbers to your garden. They indicate that pyracanthas are practically at the top of the list for nesting sites. Though other fruit-bearing plants are equally beneficial, including elderberries. The website states: "Elderberries are often used as sites for nests and will attract many birds with their huge crops of berries." However, if you live in a rural area and have a veg patch, think twice before planting, as they can attract wood pigeons, which can be a bit of a garden pest.
