If you love watching birds flutter through your garden, fall is the perfect time to plant for them. Many trees, shrubs, and flowers put down strong roots in cool weather, setting the stage for a lively, bird-filled yard come spring. By adding the right plants now, you’ll create a natural haven that provides food, nesting spots, and color all year long.
Here are 13 bird-friendly plants worth putting in the ground this fall to make your garden a true sanctuary.
Serviceberry
This native shrub produces early-spring blooms followed by berries birds adore. It’s perfect for attracting robins, bluebirds, and cedar waxwings.
Crabapple Tree
Crabapples provide both shelter and a reliable winter food source. Their bright fruits hang on through the cold months, drawing hungry birds when other food is scarce.
Winterberry Holly
A favorite among cardinals and finches, winterberry holly lights up the garden with clusters of red berries. Plant both male and female shrubs to ensure fruit production.
Coneflowers (Echinacea)
Leave the seed heads standing after the blooms fade—birds love to perch and snack on them. These hardy perennials add beauty and function to your fall garden.
Sunflowers
Planting late-season sunflowers gives birds a feast of seeds as the weather cools. They also add cheerful color and height to your garden borders.
Black-Eyed Susans
These golden flowers attract pollinators all season and provide seeds for birds once they dry. They’re low-maintenance and return reliably year after year.
Viburnum
Viburnums produce fragrant flowers in spring and colorful berries in fall. Their dense branches also make excellent nesting spots for small birds.
Elderberry
Elderberries are a magnet for songbirds and hummingbirds alike. Their berries ripen late in the season, offering natural food when it’s needed most.
Native Grasses
Grasses like little bluestem and switchgrass provide seeds and shelter for overwintering birds. They also add lovely movement and texture to the garden.
Oak Tree
Oaks support more wildlife than almost any other tree species. Birds love the acorns, and their sturdy branches offer protection and nesting sites.
Dogwood Tree
Dogwoods bring spring blossoms, fall berries, and stunning seasonal color. They attract thrushes, bluebirds, and woodpeckers throughout the year.
Coralberry
This small shrub is ideal for compact gardens and provides clusters of pink or red berries that last well into winter. It’s especially popular with waxwings and chickadees.
Goldenrod
Goldenrod’s bright yellow blooms attract insects that many birds rely on for food. It’s a beautiful, beneficial addition to a late-season garden.
By planting these bird-friendly species this fall, you’ll give your feathered visitors everything they need to thrive. From food sources to cozy shelter, your garden will become a lively retreat full of song and color. A few smart choices now lead to a backyard that birds—and you—will love year-round.
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