Wild-scaping Townhouses & Condominiums
Backyard wildlife habitat does not have to be restricted to acres
and acres of well-landscaped yards. This article is designed to give
you ideas on how to turn your townhouse or condominium backyard into
a wildlife garden with helpful tips on how to arrange food, water
and shelter elements of habitat for wildlife. Once you've planned
your wildlife garden, make sure your wildscape complies with
townhouse and condominium guidelines before planting. Songbirds,
hummingbirds, butterflies, bees, moths, squirrels, chipmunks,
turtles and rabbits are just some of the wildlife species that will
visit a townhouse or condominium wildscape.
Always be sure of the light, soil and watering requirements of each
plant and whether or not those needs will be met in the place it
will be planted. Plant nurseries and garden centers are good sources
for plant care information. Use organic solutions to insect and
disease problems instead of pesticides whenever possible.
Diversity is the Key
Most townhouse yards are comprised of grass with very little
landscaping. The key to creating excellent wildlife habitat,
regardless of the total size of the yard, is to offer a diverse
habitat. Small trees and shrubs should form the "backbone" of the
garden with lower growing annuals and perennials planted in front.
Create a diversity of vertical habitat by planting groundcovers and
arbors in addition to trees, shrubs and flowers. These plants form
layers of habitat that are attractive to a greater number of
wildlife species than if you just planted grass and trees. Also,
select plants that do "double duty" in the wildlife garden by
serving as food and shelter, which is especially important where
space is limited.
How much grass should you keep? If you have children or pets, then
some grass is necessary. A general rule of thumb is to have 60% or
more of your yard area (excluding the house) planted in something
other than grass. This rule is for the person who wants to retire
their mower completely and incorporates a diverse blending of
shrubs, annuals, perennials and vines in an arrangement that makes
good use of available vertical space. Other vertical components
adding dimension to the design include window boxes and a grape
vine.
Habitat Elements
Food
Trees, shrubs and flowers
represent important food components in the wildlife garden. Plants
provide food in the fruit they produce, including seeds, berries, or
nuts, or serve as food themselves. Plants should be chosen so that a
variety of plants flower and fruit all season, which ensures a
natural food supply will always be available to wildlife. Also, keep
in mind the fruiting characteristics of plants. Inkberries and yews
are dioecious, meaning that male and female flowers are on separate
plants. If berries are desired as a food component than a male and
female must be planted near each other. It's also imperative to
prune these shrubs carefully and at the proper time of year to make
sure you don't severely prune off your future food supply.
Annuals and perennials are
excellent sources of nectar for hummingbirds, butterflies, bees and
moths. After flowering, some annuals and perennials produce seeds
that are enjoyed by songbirds. Be sure to select flower varieties
that produce single rather than double flowers because singles are
richer sources of nectar. Annuals, as a general rule, flower for a
longer period than perennials and can provide vivid colors.
Perennials should be chosen so that something is flowering
throughout the season. Some of the best bee and butterfly plants are
herbs, which when planted, can also add to your kitchen creations.
Water
Fresh water is probably
the most important habitat element that you can add to your wildlife
garden. There are many kinds of pedestal birdbaths commercially
available. A ground birdbath placed in the garden with a circulating
pump and mister may attract shy warblers and is a good choice for
yards that aren't accessible to free-roaming predators (like cats).
A shallow saucer or dish filled with fresh water does just as well.
There are also birdbaths commercially available that can attach
directly to porch and deck railings that are just as useful for
birds to drink and bathe. A saucer filled with sand and kept wet
provides water and nutrients for butterflies and toads too!
Shelter
Evergreen trees and shrubs
and bushy or thorny deciduous shrubs can provide shelter for
wildlife, even when planted next to the house in a foundation bed.
Depending on the shrub, birds may even nest in it. Wildlife need
shelter from the weather and safe places to rest and nest away from
predators. Planting evergreens near feeders can provide year-round
shelter for birds.
A grape arbor provides a
nice shady retreat for both you and wildlife. In addition to these
plant components, bird nesting boxes also provide important shelter
for many wildlife species to raise their young. Roosting boxes
provide safe places for resting and protection from the elements. If
you have a shady spot with some space, then consider adding a
toad abode to the landscape.
Recommended Plant List
The following list provides some recommendations for wildlife
friendly plants. When selecting plants, keep in mind the size of
your space as well as soil and light requirements for the plants you
install. Also, be an informed consumer and stay away from plants
that are known to be invasive. For a list of commonly planted
invasive species, check out the “Bad
Plants Planted by Good People” page.
Annuals
Species |
Native? |
Flower/Fruit |
Benefits |
Cosmos |
N |
Jun-Aug |
Attractive to bees and butterflies |
Flowering Tobacco
(Nicotiana alata) |
N |
May-Jul |
Attractive to bees, butterflies and birds. |
Hollyhocks
(Alcea spp.) |
N |
|
Attractive to bees and butterflies; biennial |
Pentas
(Pentas spp.) |
N |
Jun-Sept |
Nectar attracts bees, butterflies, birds |
Petunia
(Petunia spp.) |
N |
Apr-Jul |
Can attract butterflies like Painted ladies |
Salvia
(Salvia spp.) |
N |
May-Sep |
Great for beneficial insect pollinators |
Sunflowers
(Helianthus annuus) |
N |
Jun-Aug |
Attracts butterflies, bees, beneficial insects, birds and
small mammals |
Sweet William/Phlox
(Phlox divaricata) |
Y |
Apr-Jun |
Showy spring flower that attracts butterflies |
Sweet William
(Dianthus barbatus) |
N |
Jun-Jul |
Attracts butterflies and hummingbirds |
Zinnia |
N |
|
Pentas are favorites of bees and
butterflies
|
Grasses
Species |
Native? |
Flower/Fruit |
Benefits |
Big Bluestem
(Andropogon gerardii) |
Y |
Jun-Sep |
Clump forming plant which provides cover |
Eastern Gamagrass (Tripsacum dactyloides |
Y |
Jun-Oct |
Clump forming plant which provides cover and seeds for
wildlife |
Indiangrass
(Sorghastrum nutans) |
Y |
Aug-Oct |
Clump forming plant which provides cover |
Little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium |
Y |
Aug-Oct |
Clump forming plant which provides cover and seeds for
wildlife |
Switchgrass
(Panicum virgatum) |
Y |
Jul-Oct |
Clump forming plant which provides food for sparrows and
other songbirds |
Wild Oats
(Chasmanthium latifolium) |
Y |
Jul-Sep |
Provides cover |
Herbs*
Species |
Native? |
Flower/Fruit |
Benefits |
Dill
(Anethum graveolens) |
N |
|
Host for Black swallowtail larvae |
Fennel
(Foeniculum vulgare) |
N |
|
Host for Black swallowtail larvae |
Rosemary
(Rosemaryinus officinalis) |
N |
|
Good for bees |
Sweet Marjoram
(Origanum vulgare) |
N |
|
Good for bees |
Thyme
(Thymus) |
N |
|
Excellent for bees |
*
Note: many herbs can be aggressive in the garden, so it is
best to plant them in containers
Perennials
Species |
Native? |
Flower/Fruit |
Benefits |
Beebalm
(Monarda didyma) |
Y |
Jul-Sep |
Showy, aromatic flowers which attract hummingbirds and
butterflies |
Beardtongue
(Penstemon digitalis) |
Y |
Jun-Aug |
Great for hummingbirds |
Black-eyed Susan
(Rudbeckia hirta) |
Y |
Jun-Oct |
Provides both a pollen and nectar source for wildlife
|
Blazingstar
(Liatris spicata) |
Y |
Jul-Aug |
Nectar source for butterflies and beneficial insect; grows
in dry soil |
Butterflyweed
(Asclepias tuberosa) |
Y |
May-Jul/
Aug-Nov |
Host plant for monarch butterflies. Also attracts adult
butterflies |
Common Milkweed
(Asclepias syriaca) |
Y |
May-Jun/
Aug-Nov |
Host plant for butterflies; fragrant and attracts beneficial
insects |
Ironweed
(Vernonia noveboracensis) |
Y |
Aug-Oct |
Host plant for butterflies |
Joe Pyeweed
(Eupatorium fistulosum) |
Y |
Jul-Oct |
Attracts songbirds, butterflies and beneficial insects;
great for rain gardens |
Larkspurs
(Delphinium spp). |
Y/N |
Apr-Jun |
Provides nectar for butterflies and beneficial insects
|
Partridgeberry
(Mitchella repens) |
Y |
May-Jul/
Jul-Dec |
Groundcover that provides berries for birds and small
mammals |
Purple Coneflower
(Echinacea purpureum) |
Y |
Jul-Aug |
Provides nectar for pollinators as well as seeds for birds
|
Stonecrops
(Sedum spp.) |
Y/N |
|
Provides good groundcover and some varieties are used by
butterflies |
Wild Columbine
(Aquilegia canadensis) |
Y |
Apr-Jul |
Great for butterflies, hummingbirds and beneficial insects
|
Shrubs
Species |
Native? |
Flower/Fruit |
Benefits |
Blueberries
(Vaccinium spp.) |
Y/N |
|
Provide berry source for birds as well as nectar source for
butterflies and bees |
Coralberry
(Symphoricarpos orbiculatus) |
Y |
Apr-Jun |
Provides cover, nectar for insects, berries for songbirds
and leaves for moths |
Dogwoods
(Cornus spp.) |
Y/N |
|
Provides cover and berries for birds and small mammals
|
Elderberry
(Sambucus canadensis) |
Y |
May
Jun-Jul |
Fragrant flowers and berries important for songbirds and
small mammals |
Hydrangea
(Hydrangea spp.) |
Y/N |
Jun-Aug |
Provides cover and food for pollinators |
Inkberry
(Ilex glabra) |
Y |
May-Jun/
Sep-Mar |
Provides cover and berries for songbirds and small mammals;
need a male and female for berries |
Juniper (dwarf varieties) |
N |
|
Provides year-round shelter |
Rhododendron
(Rhododendron maximum) |
Y |
May-Aug
Sep-Nov |
Provides year-round shelter for wildlife |
Virginia Sweetspire
(Itea virginica) |
Y |
Jun-Jul/
Aug-Mar |
Provides nectar for beneficial insects and fruit for
songbirds and small mammals |
Winterberry
(Ilex verticillata) |
Y |
Jun-Jul/
Aug-Feb |
Provides cover and berries for songbirds and small mammals;
need a male and female for berries |
Yew
(Taxus canadensis) |
Y |
Mar-May/
Jul-Sep |
Provides cover and berries for songbirds |
Small Trees
Species |
Native? |
Flower/Fruit |
Benefits |
American holly
(Ilex opaca) |
Y |
May-Jun |
Provides year-round cover and berries for songbirds |
Fire Cherry
(Prunus pensylvanica) |
Y |
May/
Jul-Sep |
High wildlife value for birds and mammals |
Fringetree
(Chionanthus virginicus) |
Y |
May-Jun/
Sep-Oct |
Fragrant flowers and attractive to songbirds |
Mountain Ash
(Sorbus americana) |
Y |
May-Jul/
Aug-Dec |
High wildlife value for songbirds and small mammals
|
Paw-paw
(Asimina triloba) |
Y |
Apr-Jun/
Aug-Sep |
Produces edible fruits favored by birds, mammals and people
|
Serviceberry
(Amelanchier arborea) |
Y |
Mar-May/
May-Jun |
Used by 58 species of wildlife in MD; berries are edible to
songbirds, mammals and people |
Vines
Species |
Native? |
Flower/Fruit |
Benefits |
Bittersweet
(Celastrus scandens) |
Y |
May-Jun/
Sept-Dec |
Provides fruits, buds and leaves. Excellent winter food for
birds. Oriental bittersweet (C. orbiculatus) is
invasive. |
Passionflower
(Passiflora incarnata) |
Y |
Jun-Sep/
Sep-Oct |
Great for butterflies and provides edible fruits
|
Trumpet Creeper
(Campsis radicans) |
Y |
Jul-Sep/
Aug-Mar |
Great for butterflies and hummingbirds |
Trumpet Honeysuckle
(Lonicera sempervirens) |
Y |
Apr-Oct/
Aug-Mar |
Excellent plant for hummingbirds and provides berries for
songbirds |
Virgin’s Bower
(Clematis virginiana) |
Y |
Jul-Sept/
Aug-Nov |
Fragrant flowers |
Wild Grape
(Vitis spp.) |
Y/N |
|
Provides berries for wildlife |
Acknowledgements:
-
Wild Oats photo by Gene Cooley
-
Black swallowtail caterpillar photo by Lynn Davidson
-
Fringetree photo by R. H. Wiegand
-
All other photos by Kerry Wixted
For Additional Information, Please Contact:
Sarah B. Witcher
410-260-8566
sarah.witcher1@maryland.gov
Department of Natural Resources
Wildlife and Heritage Service
580 Taylor Avenue, E-1
Annapolis, Maryland 21401