Backyard Habitat
Providing for the Needs of Wildlife: Food from Native Plants
Food is the foundation of life; without food, animals cannot make the energy they need to survive. However, certain animals need certain kinds of food—you can’t just throw cheeseburgers on the lawn and expect animals to thrive! There are two basic ways to provide food for wildlife in your backyard: native plants and bird feeders. Native plants provide food through berries, pollen, nectar, seeds, nuts, and leaves.
Helpful Tips Before You Begin
- Go native: Native plants are the foundation of a successful habitat for wildlife.
- Location, location, location: The right plant in the right spot can make a huge difference in the success of a backyard habitat.
- Some foreign friends are fine: Many non-native plants are excellent sources of food and shelter for wildlife, while meeting aesthetic goals such as expanding the color palette of the garden and providing two to three seasons of visual interest.
Also, some non-native plants may grow better in a difficult place than native plants. Be sure to do your research, however, to make sure you’re not planting an invasive species!
See the Remove Invasive Plants page for more information.
Why Go Native
- Native plants work the best. They are specifically adapted to living in the local climate.
- Native animals depend on native plants for food.
- Native plants require less maintenance than non-natives.
- Habitat for native plants is decreasing; you can help preserve these species as well as provide food for animals!
How To Go Native
- Choose your location: Take a careful look at where you want to place your plants and answer a few basic questions: Is it a sunny or shady location? Does the soil have good drainage? How much room does the plant have to grow (both vertically and horizontally)?
- Get in the zone: Take a look at Sunset’s Garden Climate Map to determine what plant zone you live in. Choosing plants that are rated for your climate zone saves you time, money, and water.
- Prepare your site: See the Build Healthy Soil and Reduce Chemical Use page for tips on composting and mulching in your yard.
- Pick your plants: Now for the fun part—you’re ready to choose your plants. Use the following resources to choose plants native to your area.
Pacific Northwest
Plant Native
Native Plants of the Maritime Pacific Northwest
eNature: Native Gardening and Invasive Plant Guides
British Columbia
E-Flora BC
Washington
Washington Native Plant Society
Western Washington Native Plant Guide
Oregon
Native Plant Society of Oregon—Using Native Plants
for Gardening
Portland-area Native Plant Selection Guide
Idaho
Idaho Native Plant Society
- Get your plants: It can be a bit challenging to find native plants at local nurseries, but with these handy guides, you should be able to find what you need.
British Columbia
Native Plant Society of British Columbia—Use of
Native Plants
Washington
Washington Native Plant Society—Native Plant and
Seed Sources
Native Plant Resources for the Pacific Northwest
Oregon
Native Plant Society of Oregon—Where do you get
locally native plants?
Idaho
Landscaping with Native Plants of the Intermountain Region
(page 27 through end has Quick Reference Guide and Landscaping Sources)
- Plant it: Now it’s time to plant! Following proper planting techniques will help ensure the life of your plants. King County’s Native Plant guide includes How-to Articles on preparing your site, proper planting techniques, and more.
- Love it, then leave it: Once it’s in the ground, your plant will still need some tender loving care; over the first year monitor your plants carefully and water as necessary. Over time your native plants will need less attention than non-natives. Follow this Master Gardener link on Basic Gardening Skills for more information on how to care for native plants.
Next up: Food from Bird Feeders
