Creating a birdbath-centered garden is a wonderful way to invite nature into your outdoor space. Not only does it provide birds with a much-needed water source, but it also creates an environment where you can enjoy the sounds and sights of wildlife. A birdbath can serve as the focal point of your garden, and surrounding it with the right flowers can enhance its beauty and attract more feathered visitors. Here’s a list of the best flowers for a birdbath-centered garden that will complement the soothing sounds of water while offering the perfect habitat for birds.
1. Bee Balm (Monarda)
Bee Balm is an excellent choice for a birdbath-centered garden, as it attracts pollinators such as hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies. This perennial has vibrant, tubular flowers in shades of red, pink, purple, and white. Its aromatic foliage is a great addition to a garden, and it thrives in well-drained, moist soil. The flowers bloom in mid-summer, offering a colorful backdrop to your birdbath, while the birds enjoy the nectar.
2. Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)
A classic addition to any garden, Black-eyed Susans are known for their cheerful, bright yellow petals and dark centers. These flowers are drought-tolerant and easy to grow, making them a perfect choice for your birdbath garden. The seeds of Black-eyed Susans are a favorite of many bird species, especially finches. These flowers are hardy and will bloom throughout the summer, creating a stunning visual around your birdbath while helping attract birds.
3. Lavender (Lavandula)
Lavender is not only beautiful and fragrant, but it also attracts a variety of pollinators. Its tall spikes of purple or blue flowers contrast nicely with the bright colors of other plants and the shimmering water in the birdbath. Lavender is drought-resistant, and its scent can help keep pests away while also calming the surrounding atmosphere. Birds such as hummingbirds and butterflies will be drawn to its nectar, making it an ideal plant for your garden.
4. Coneflower (Echinacea)
Coneflowers are hardy perennials that offer daisy-like blooms in purple, pink, and white. They are easy to grow and attract a variety of birds, especially goldfinches, which love to eat the seeds. These flowers are ideal for a birdbath-centered garden as they provide both beauty and function. The tall, slender stems create a lovely backdrop for your birdbath, and the birds will appreciate the food source that the seed heads provide after the blooms fade.
5. Columbine (Aquilegia)
With their unique, bell-shaped flowers and striking colors, Columbine plants are a wonderful addition to a birdbath garden. They attract hummingbirds and butterflies with their tubular flowers that come in a wide range of colors, including red, yellow, pink, and blue. Columbines are often grown in shaded areas, so they can be placed around the perimeter of the birdbath to create contrast with other sun-loving plants. Their delicate blooms add a touch of elegance to the garden and a subtle charm to the space.
6. Daylilies (Hemerocallis)
Daylilies are low-maintenance and come in a wide variety of colors, making them a versatile addition to any garden. The blooms of Daylilies only last a day, but they bloom continuously for weeks, providing a steady source of color. Their trumpet-shaped flowers attract hummingbirds and other pollinators. Placing Daylilies around the birdbath will enhance the visual appeal of the area and provide a peaceful, natural ambiance.
7. Beechdrops (Epifagus virginiana)
For a birdbath-centered garden that celebrates the beauty of nature in an unusual way, Beechdrops are a unique and fascinating choice. These flowers are parasitic, growing in symbiosis with beech trees, and they feature delicate, lavender-pink blooms that are perfect for adding texture and visual interest. While Beechdrops don’t provide nectar for birds, their appearance is a subtle yet beautiful way to enhance your garden’s overall aesthetic.
8. Zinnia
Zinnias are cheerful, sun-loving annuals that come in a variety of colors, from bright pink and orange to deep reds and purples. Their vibrant flowers attract pollinators, including butterflies and hummingbirds. Zinnias are easy to grow and can be planted in clusters around the birdbath to create a bold, lively garden space. The flowers will bloom throughout the summer, providing consistent color and attracting a variety of birds.
9. Poppies (Papaver)
Poppies are known for their large, showy blooms that come in a variety of colors, including red, pink, purple, and orange. Their delicate petals create a striking contrast against the water in the birdbath, making them an excellent addition to any garden. While poppies are not a direct food source for birds, their beauty adds to the overall visual appeal of the space, encouraging birds to visit the birdbath for a refreshing drink.
10. Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia)
Russian Sage is a hardy perennial that adds a silvery-blue hue to your garden. Its tall spikes of tiny purple flowers attract hummingbirds and butterflies. The plant thrives in well-drained soil and full sun, making it an ideal choice for sunny garden spaces. Its aromatic foliage and long-lasting blooms make it a fantastic complement to a birdbath, adding depth and texture while drawing in pollinators and birds alike.
11. Astilbe
Astilbes are shade-loving perennials that produce feathery, plume-like flowers in shades of pink, red, white, and lavender. These plants thrive in moist, well-drained soil and can be placed around the birdbath if you have a shaded area. Astilbes add texture and height to the garden, and their blooms attract birds such as hummingbirds and butterflies. With their elegant, airy flowers, Astilbes create a soft, romantic atmosphere in your birdbath garden.
12. Coreopsis (Tickseed)
Coreopsis plants are known for their cheerful, daisy-like flowers that come in shades of yellow, orange, and red. These plants are hardy, drought-tolerant, and attract birds such as finches, which are drawn to their seeds. Coreopsis will bloom for much of the summer, adding long-lasting color to your birdbath garden. Their easy-care nature and ability to grow in a variety of soil conditions make them a reliable and attractive choice for any bird-friendly landscape.
13. Fuchsia
Fuchsias are a great choice for birdbath-centered gardens, especially if you want to attract hummingbirds. These plants have elegant, tubular flowers that come in shades of pink, purple, and red. Their unique shape and vibrant colors are perfect for creating a stunning focal point around the birdbath. Fuchsias can be grown in hanging baskets, containers, or directly in the ground in shaded or partially shaded areas. Their nectar-rich flowers will keep hummingbirds coming back for more.
14. Sweet Alyssum (Lobularia maritima)
Sweet Alyssum is a low-growing annual with tiny, fragrant flowers that are often white, purple, or pink. These flowers are perfect for creating a soft, flowing border around a birdbath. While the plant itself isn’t a direct food source for birds, its dense, fragrant clusters of flowers attract pollinators like bees and butterflies, which in turn can help bring in the birds. Sweet Alyssum thrives in full sun and well-drained soil and is easy to grow, making it a great choice for low-maintenance gardens.
Conclusion
When designing a birdbath-centered garden, selecting the right flowers can turn a simple water feature into a vibrant, wildlife-friendly oasis. By incorporating a variety of plants that provide both visual appeal and nectar or seeds for birds, you can create an inviting space that attracts a diverse range of birds and pollinators. From the bold blooms of Black-eyed Susans and Coneflowers to the delicate beauty of Columbines and Astilbes, the options for designing a birdbath-centered garden are as varied as the birds that will visit. With the right combination of flowers, you’ll enjoy a stunning garden that supports local wildlife year-round.