by High Country Gardens

Waxwing bird on a shrub
A cedar waxwing on Prunus.

A Guest Post From Audubon Rockies/Habitat Hero Program

Gardens are outdoor sanctuaries for birds, insects and other wildlife. Every spring, migrating birds visit our yards looking for nourishment from our gardens and places to raise their chicks. By adding native plants to one’s yard, balcony, container garden, rooftop or public space, anyone, anywhere can attract birds AND give them the nourishment they need for the long journey ahead.

Most landscaping plants available in nurseries are exotic species from other countries. Not only are they generally poor food sources for our local wildlife but they often require more chemicals and water, increasing maintenance time, costs and environmental hazards. Some can even become invasive.

And How About All This Weird Winter And Spring Weather?

“Birds and native plants are made for each other thanks to millions of years of evolution,” said Dr. John Rowden, director of community conservation for the National Audubon Society. “As plants grow and bloom earlier because of warming temperatures, there is a growing mismatch between bloom times and the arrival of birds that depend on them. Habitat provided by native plants can help climate-threatened birds adapt and survive.”

Help keep our common birds common by planting native plants.

Bird visits a berry tree
Ribes aureum, commonly known as black current, is beloved by both gardeners and birds alike for their large edible berries.

Audubon Rockies Has Created Fun Ways You Can Help Birds In WY, CO and Beyond

Birds, bees, and butterflies cannot survive in sterile communities. Audubon Rockies’ Habitat Hero Program works with partners and community members to make a difference by stitching our fractured landscape back together. Join us in creating gardens and backyards that provide homes and, food sources, for a wide range of wildlife.

Habitat Hero Pre-Planned Garden Illustration
Our Habitat Hero Pre-Planned Birdwatcher garden is part of a collaboration between High Country Gardens, Habitat Hero (a project of Audubon Rockies) and Plant Select®. A portion of the proceeds of the already-designed Birdwatcher garden will go to the Habitat Hero project.

How Can You Be Involved?

  1. Red and Orange Lonicera sempervirens Major Wheeler, Lonicera sempervirens Major Wheeler, Major Wheeler Honeysuckle Vine

    Lonicera sempervirens ‚Major Wheeler‚ (Honeysuckle Vine) is a non-stop bloomer coloring the garden from late spring through the summer with showy clusters of orange-red f...

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    Major Wheeler Honeysuckle Vine Major Wheeler Honeysuckle Vine Lonicera sempervirens Major Wheeler
    Sale Price I Save 15%
    $14.99 Sale $12.74
    Per Plant - 5" Deep Pot
    Lonicera sempervirens 'Major Wheeler' (Honeysuckle Vine) is a non-stop bloomer coloring the garden from late spring through the summer with showy clusters of orange-red flowers. Considered to be the longest blooming variety of honeysuckle and a superior flower for the hummingbirds. 2010 Plant of the Year.
  2. Echinacea purpurea

    Echinacea purpurea (Purple Coneflower) is a garden classic perennial plant and one of our most popular native wildflowers. Echinacea purpurea (Purple Coneflower) has a large center c...

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    Echinacea purpurea Purple Coneflower Echinacea purpurea
    Sale Price I Save 10%
    $10.99 Sale $9.89
    Per Plant - 5" Deep Pot
    Echinacea purpurea (Purple Coneflower) is a garden classic perennial plant and one of our most popular native wildflowers. Echinacea purpurea (Purple Coneflower) has a large center cone, surrounded by pink-purple petals and brighten the garden in mid-summer.
  3. David's Dependable Desert Plant Collection

    David‚s Dependable Desert Plant Collection is a combination of woody evergreen shrubs, succulents, and long blooming perennials that High Country Gardens Founder, David Salman,...

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    David's Dependable Desert Plant Collection David's Dependable Desert Plant Collection
    Sale Price I Save 5%
    $142.99 Sale $135.84
    Per Collection of 12
    David's Dependable Desert Plant Collection is a combination of woody evergreen shrubs, succulents, and long blooming perennials that High Country Gardens Founder, David Salman, had selected as the most reliable plants in his New Mexico garden. Featuring interesting pollinator-friendly flowers and many native plants this waterwise collection provides both beauty and habitat. Plant them together as the foundation of a new waterwise landscape design, or scatter them into your existing xeriscape to enhance with added texture and year-round visual interest. Collection of 12 plants.
  4. Sulphur Buckwheat Collection

    Our Sulphur Buckwheat Collection showcases some of the very best xeric native shrubs for waterwise gardens. Sulphur Buckwheat (Eriogonum) are durable, showy plants with evergreen fol...

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    Sulphur Buckwheat Collection Sulphur Buckwheat collection
    $37.99
    Per Collection of 3
    Our Sulphur Buckwheat Collection showcases some of the very best xeric native shrubs for waterwise gardens. Sulphur Buckwheat (Eriogonum) are durable, showy plants with evergreen foliage and bright, long blooming flowers for months on end. Seed heads hold color for several months after the flowers have been pollinated, and offer food for birds in fall and winter. Both beautifully showy and beneficial, plant Sulphur Buckwheats for a foundation to your waterwise habitat or pollinator garden. Collection of 3 plants.
  5. Privacy Shrub Collection For The West

    With our Privacy Shrub Collection For The West, you can easily create a backyard oasis with these attractive native shrubs. Enjoy berries, blooms, and the gorgeous colors and texture...

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    Privacy Shrub Collection For The West Privacy Shrub Collection For The West
    $81.99
    Per Collection of 9
    With our Privacy Shrub Collection For The West, you can easily create a backyard oasis with these attractive native shrubs. Enjoy berries, blooms, and the gorgeous colors and textures of the foliage for year-round interest in your landscape. This native hedge will attract pollinators and provide food and habitat for songbirds and wildlife. Collection of 9 plants.
  6. Native Southwest Songbird Pre-Planned Garden

    Create a haven for songbirds by planting our Native Southwest Songbird Pre-Planned Garden. Hardy perennials, textural grasses, and attractive shrubs provide year-round interest, and ...

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    Native Southwest Songbird Pre-Planned Garden Native Southwest Songbird Pre-Planned Garden
    $201.99
    Per Garden of 16
    Create a haven for songbirds by planting our Native Southwest Songbird Pre-Planned Garden. Hardy perennials, textural grasses, and attractive shrubs provide year-round interest, and shelter for birds. Native plants attract beneficial insects and produce seeds, both essential food sources for birds and their young. Enhance your yard and create a beautiful living landscape with resilient native plants. Garden of 16 plants covers 135 sq ft. This Pre-Planned Garden comes with a garden layout map to make planting easy
  7. Red Salvia greggii Furman's Red, Salvia greggii Furman's Red, Furman's Red Texas Sage

    2005 Plant Select Winner. 24-36„ tall x 18„ wide. Salvia greggii ‚Furman‚s Red‚ (Texas Sage) is one of the most cold hardy of the native Salvia greggii...

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    Furman's Red Texas Salvia Furman's Red Texas Sage Salvia greggii Furman's Red
    As low as $11.99
    Per Plant - 5" Deep Pot
    2005 Plant Select Winner. 24-36" tall x 18" wide. Salvia greggii 'Furman's Red' (Texas Sage) is one of the most cold hardy of the native Salvia greggii family. Blooming in late spring and again in the fall, the plant covers itself with bright red flowers that attract the hummingbirds from miles around. Sweetly aromatic foliage too. A 2005 Plant Select winner. Drought resistant/drought tolerant plant (xeric).
  8. Superstar Aster Collection

    Our Superstar Aster Collection is an easy solution for late summer to fall color. Native Asters are important late-season food sources for bees and butterflies, including Monarchs. F...

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    Superstar Aster Collection Superstar Aster Collection
    Sale Price I Save 10%
    $54.99 Sale $49.49
    Per Collection of 5
    Our Superstar Aster Collection is an easy solution for late summer to fall color. Native Asters are important late-season food sources for bees and butterflies, including Monarchs. Featuring five varieties of Asters for an array of colors and varying heights, this collection will refresh the garden with late season flowers, just as summer’s blooms begin to fade. Collection of 5 plants. (Symphyotrichum)

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