Six native plants chosen for their seed production, insect-attracting qualities, and structural value for nesting and shelter.
Maximilian's Sunflower (Helianthus Maximiliani)
Bright yellow sunflower blooms line tall stems in late summer and fall, producing abundant seeds that goldfinches, sparrows, and other songbirds eagerly harvest. This towering native (up to 10 feet) provides both late-season nectar for pollinators and protein-rich seeds that sustain birds through fall and winter.
Height: 3-6 feet tall
Sunlight: Full Sun to Part Shade
Bloom Period: Blooms September to October
Soil Moisture: Dry to Medium
Seeds Per Packet: Approx. 175 seeds per pack, covers 40 ft²
Hardiness Zones: Zones 3-9
*Wet and cold stratification required. Mix seeds with moist substrate (vermiculite, perlite or moss) and place in a plastic bag and refrigerate for 6-8 weeks. Sow seed at 1/8 inch depth. Do not let seedling dry out while it is establishing.
OR
Sow directly outdoors in late fall to overwinter.
Canada Tick Trefoil (Desmodium Canadense)
Pink-purple pea-like flowers bloom in mid-summer, attracting bumblebees and butterflies, while the seed pods provide nutritious food for ground-feeding birds like quail and wild turkey. This nitrogen-fixing native improves soil while offering dense foliage that shelters nesting birds and supports caterpillars that feed baby birds.
Height: 3-6 feet tall
Sunlight: Full Sun
Bloom Period: Blooms July to September
Soil Moisture: Dry to Moist
Seeds Per Packet: Approx. 50 seeds per pack, covers 20 ft²
Hardiness Zones: Zones 3-7
*Cold, moist stratification required. Mix seeds with moist substrate (vermiculite, perlite or moss) and place in a plastic bag and refrigerate for 6-8 weeks. Sow seed at depth stated on packet. Do not let seedling dry out while it is establishing.
OR
Sow directly outdoors in late fall to overwinter.
Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia Hirta)
Cheerful golden-yellow flowers with dark centers bloom from summer through fall, attracting insects that insect-eating birds hunt, then producing seed heads that goldfinches and chickadees feast on through winter. This prairie native supports birds at multiple stages - from protein-rich caterpillars for nestlings to energy-dense seeds for winter survival.
Height: 1-3 feet tall
Sunlight: Full Sun
Bloom Period: Blooms August to October
Soil Moisture: Medium to Moist
Seeds Per Packet: Approx. 175 seeds per pack, covers 40 ft²
Hardiness Zones: Zones 3-9
*No pre-treatment required. Sow seed at soil surface. Do not let seedling dry out while it is establishing.
Cutleaf Coneflower (Rudbekia Laciniata)
Large yellow flowers with drooping petals bloom in mid-to-late summer, attracting insects that provide food for warblers and flycatchers, followed by seed heads favored by finches. This tall native (4-9 feet) creates excellent cover and nesting habitat while supporting the insect populations that baby birds need.
Height: 3-6 feet tall
Sunlight: Full Sun to Part Shade
Bloom Period: Blooms August to October
Soil Moisture: Medium to Wet
Seeds Per Packet: Approx. 80 seeds per pack, covers 40 ft²
Hardiness Zones: Zones 3-8
*Cold, moist stratification required. Mix seeds with moist substrate (vermiculite, perlite or moss) and place in a plastic bag and refrigerate for 6-8 weeks. Sow seed at depth stated on packet. Do not let seedling dry out while it is establishing.
OR
Sow directly outdoors in late fall to overwinter.
Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium Scoparium)
This ornamental native grass provides essential seeds for sparrows, juncos, and other ground-feeding birds while offering dense shelter for ground-nesting species and overwintering habitat. Its clumping structure creates protected spaces where birds forage for insects and seeds, and the dried stems provide nesting materials in spring.
Height: 3-6 feet tall
Sunlight: Full Sun to Part Shade
Bloom Period: Blooms September- October
Soil Moisture: Dry to Medium
Seeds Per Packet: Approx. 90 seeds per pack, covers 7.5 ft²
Hardiness Zones: Zones 3-9
*No pre-treatment required. Sow seed at depth specified on packet. Do not let seedling dry out while it is establishing.
Cup Plant (Silphium Perfoliatum)
Bright yellow sunflower-like blooms tower up to 8 feet tall in mid-to-late summer, while unique cup-shaped leaves collect rainwater that birds drink from throughout the season. This architectural native produces abundant seeds for finches and sparrows while attracting the insects that feed warblers, wrens, and other insectivores.
Height: 3-6 feet tall
Sunlight: Full Sun to Part Shade
Bloom Period: Blooms July to September
Soil Moisture: Dry to Wet
Seeds Per Packet: Approx. 20 seeds per pack, covers 20 ft²
Hardiness Zones: Zones 4-8
*Cold, moist stratification required. Mix seeds with moist substrate (vermiculite, perlite or moss) and place in a plastic bag and refrigerate for 6-8 weeks. Sow seed at depth stated on packet. Do not let seedling dry out while it is establishing.
OR
Sow directly outdoors in late fall to overwinter.
