Gardening expert Alan Titchmarsh has recommended two berry plants that can help attract robins and sparrows to UK gardens this October as the weather turns and natural food supplies dwindle. While the plants can support birds, the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) has cautioned that the berries should not be eaten by humans or pets.
Recommended Plants for Bird-Friendly Gardens
Appearing on his YouTube channel, the 77-year-old veteran of BBC Gardeners' World and ITV's Love Your Weekend with Alan Titchmarsh shared advice on which plants can help birds. He said: "This is also a good time to add bird friendly plants to your garden. Berry plants like Callicarpa, the beautyberry, are loved by robins and sparrows. So too is evergreen edging shrub Pyracantha Firethorn with its vibrant orange, yellow, or red berries."
Small birds such as robins and sparrows are still attracted to UK gardens despite the colder weather, and gardeners are encouraged to keep them warm, safe, fed, and sheltered so the local ecosystem can thrive through winter.
RHS Warnings on Berries
However, the RHS has issued caveats about both plants. While birds can eat the berries, humans and pets should not, as they could be harmful. The organisation explained: "Fruit are ornamental - not to be eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling" and "Pets: Fruit are ornamental - not to be eaten - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers."
Regarding Pyracantha, the RHS described it as an "excellent evergreen hedge" but issued the same caution about consuming the berries.
Previous Bird Care Advice
This is not the first time Titchmarsh has shared advice on helping birds. Almost a year ago, he posted a lengthy video on his YouTube channel explaining how to feed and shelter them. Measures he mentioned included installing bird boxes and bird feeders, as well as providing bird baths.
He particularly emphasised the location of bird boxes, suggesting they should be placed high up to keep them out of reach of predators such as cats, which reports suggest kill 55 million birds per year. He explained: "There are a couple of things worth bearing in mind. Make sure it’s out of the reach of cats…so above head height generally. And the other is to put it in a sheltered spot."
The sheltered spot ensures cold winds do not make the box draughty for birds sheltering inside.
