Plant selection to attract birds to your planter

If you're using a cedar planter to attract birds in Ontario, consider these bird-friendly plants that thrive in containers:

Flowering Plants for Nectar-Feeding Birds (Hummingbirds & Butterflies)

1. Bee Balm (Monarda) – A top choice for hummingbirds.
2. Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis) – Provides nectar for early-season hummingbirds.
3. Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis) – A striking red flower loved by hummingbirds.

'/

Berry-Producing Plants for Songbirds

4. Dwarf Serviceberry (Amelanchier alnifolia ‘Regent’) – Attracts robins, waxwings, and cardinals.
5. Winterberry Holly (Ilex verticillata, dwarf varieties) – Provides winter berries for songbirds.

Seed-Producing Flowers for Finches & Sparrows

6. Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) – Goldfinches love its seeds.
7. Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) – Attracts finches and sparrows.

Herbs That Attract Insects for Birds

8. Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) – Draws pollinators, which birds feed on.
9. Sunflowers (Dwarf Helianthus varieties) – A favorite for seed-eating birds.

Watch this video