10 Texas Shrubs to Support Birds
Creating a bird-friendly garden in Texas involves choosing plants that thrive in its varied climates while providing resources for local wildlife. Texas’s rich diversity in bird species can be encouraged right in your backyard with the strategic planting of native shrubs that offer food and shelter. Here are ten shrubs that are particularly effective at attracting birds in the Lone Star State.
Texas Sage (Leucophyllum frutescens)
Texas Sage is a resilient shrub that bursts into a profusion of purple flowers after rain. Its nectar-rich blossoms attract hummingbirds and butterflies, while its dense foliage offers excellent shelter for birds.
American Beautyberry (Callicarpa americana)
Known for its striking, vibrant purple berries that cluster along its stems, the American Beautyberry is a favorite among songbirds such as robins and cardinals. The shrub does well in partial shade to full sun and is a stunning addition to any Texas garden.
Agarita (Mahonia trifoliolata)
This tough, evergreen shrub features yellow spring flowers and red berries that are a food source for birds like mockingbirds and cedar waxwings. Agarita’s holly-like foliage also provides excellent cover for birds seeking refuge from predators.
Flame Acanthus (Anisacanthus quadrifidus var. wrightii)
A magnet for hummingbirds, Flame Acanthus produces long, tubular red or orange flowers from mid-summer into fall. It’s drought-tolerant, making it ideal for Texas’s hot, dry summers.
Eve’s Necklace (Styphnolobium affine)
This native Texas shrub blooms with fragrant pink flowers in the spring, followed by black seed pods that resemble a string of beads. These seeds are popular with various bird species, while the plant itself provides nesting sites.
Turk’s Cap (Malvaviscus arboreus var. drummondii)
With its distinctive red flowers that resemble a Turkish turban, Turk’s Cap is an excellent shrub for attracting hummingbirds and butterflies. The fruits are also edible and can be a winter food source for birds.
Possumhaw Holly (Ilex decidua)
Possumhaw Holly is famous for its bright red berries that persist through winter, providing crucial food for birds when other sources are scarce. This deciduous holly’s bare winter branches make the berries a striking sight against the landscape.
Crossvine (Bignonia capreolata)
Though more of a climbing vine than a shrub, Crossvine can be trained to behave like a shrub with support. It produces vibrant orange and yellow trumpet-shaped flowers that attract hummingbirds in spring.
Red Yucca (Hesperaloe parviflora)
Not a true yucca, this plant has long, arching leaves and tall spikes of red to pink flowers that are irresistible to hummingbirds. Red Yucca is extremely drought and heat tolerant, perfect for Texas landscapes.
Wax Myrtle (Morella cerifera)
This versatile shrub not only provides dense foliage for bird shelter but also produces aromatic berries that are favored by many types of birds. Wax Myrtle can grow in a variety of soil types and conditions, making it a versatile choice for different Texas regions.
Creating a Bird Sanctuary
Besides planting these shrubs, you can make your garden even more welcoming by adding bird feeders, water features like birdbaths or ponds, and leaving areas of leaf litter for ground-feeding birds. Avoiding pesticides and letting some areas go a bit wild can also help increase the diversity of birds visiting your garden.
Incorporating these native shrubs into your Texas garden will not only delight you with frequent avian visitors but also contribute to the conservation of local wildlife habitats. Whether you’re in the Panhandle or the Gulf Coast, these plants will help turn your garden into a thriving bird sanctuary.
