One of the things people often say when I ask them what they want in their gardens is wildlife. I usually can't resist teasing them a little. "Oh, wildlife? Deer? Mice? Raccoons? Rats? Snakes? Frogs? Geese?"
Well, no. That's usually not what they want.
They want wildlife that is pretty, cute and, sometimes, beneficial. Animals like birds, butterflies, frogs, bees and maybe dragonflies.
But the truth is, you don't always get to choose. A garden is a natural habitat, and it will naturally attract critters of all types. If you put in plants and other features that offer the right kind of forage and shelter, you can draw more creatures than you really want.
What you get also depends on your location, climate and quirky local conditions, such as living near a pond or arboretum, or being way out in the suburbs or dwelling in the heart of the city.
All critters have the same needs: water, food and shelter. By slightly tailoring these three requirements, you can better your chances of attracting the wildlife you want and not what you don't.
Let's start with water. A pond or other water feature will draw all kinds of living things. If the water is clean, moving in some fashion or contains fish, it will not be a habitat for mosquitoes, but it will bring birds, dragonflies, butterflies and frogs. An in-ground pond can also attract small mammals, such as raccoons and rats. It might also appeal to an occasional exotic visitor. A friend's pond was just cleaned of fish by a passing heron; they might need to install a net to protect the fish. An elevated fountain or birdbath will appeal mostly to airborne visitors, such as birds and butterflies.
When it comes to food, birds vary widely in what they prefer. Some birds, including robins and flickers, eat crawling insects and thrive where there are lots of worms to be had, such as in beds and lawns that contain lots of leaf mold or other composted organic material.
Robins, mockingbirds, catbirds, finches and sparrows like berries. Some of the best plant to provide this treat are serviceberries, hollies, hawthorns, bayberries, dogwoods and viburnums. Birds go for seeds. Colorful goldfinches, mourning doves, house finches and native sparrows are partial to seeds from perennial and annual flowers, such as zinnia, chicory, black-eyed Susan, purple coneflower, thistle and gaillardia. Some species feed in flocks -- robins, wrens, finches and cardinals among them -- so if you provide a lot of food, you might actually create a bird haven and get more visitors than you ever imagined.
Hummingbirds are a special case. They are nectar feeders and love tubular flowers such as honeysuckle, trumpet vine and bee-balm (Monarda). They're also very fond of red. They will also come to hummingbird feeders containing a nectar-like liquid. If they get used to feeding around you, they can be absolutely fearless and will even come to a flower in your hand.
