California Landscape Design

For some homeowners, landscape design is for the birds: literally. San Diego County hosts the most bird species of any county in the United States, with both land and shore birds adding to our impressive number of total bird species in this region. In some gardens, including my own, homeowners add lots of perks to attract birds, sometimes unwittingly (we’ll get to that later). Enjoying the sights and sounds of the winged ones is only one benefit in encouraging wildlife into the garden. The decorative elements that attract birds—especially bird baths and bird feeders—greatly enhance the look of the landscape, and often add just the right touch to planter beds. For this reason, we can certainly check off gardening for wildlife as a way to add personality to our outdoor spaces.    

Here are some basic categories of decorative items that will attract birds and add some garden whimsy to the landscape:

• Bird Baths: likely the first and largest item on the list. Colored concrete, carved rock, and ceramic are the most tasteful materials used to create birdbaths. The bird bath adds an attractive center piece in an herb garden or bed of flowers. I find that those raised on a pedestal are the most striking and functional, although hanging small bird baths with chains— situated to hang from tree branches or the eves of the home—can add a touch of whimsy as well. Fountains also serve as bird baths—sometimes unwittingly—and should be maintained chemically-free if your feathered friends use them.

• Bird Feeders: Bird feeders can add the element of decoration as well, most often found hanging but sometimes sitting atop stands or even a decaying tree stump. The bird feeder is likely the easiest of the bird items to find, not only sold in nurseries, but in many chain department stores and home improvement centers as well. Feeders are made of glass, plastic, ceramic, metal, and resin, with the most popular being an array of beaked plastic and glass hummingbird feeders. Remember to buy seed that local birds actually eat; some of the low cost seed mixes contain fillers that drop to the ground, sometimes sprouting to later become regrettable weed problems.

• Bird Houses: Ah yes, the bird house is the mark of the true avian devotee. Made most often of wood—sometimes hand-crafted—these decorative items must be chosen to not only match the theme of the landscape but to also house birds (whether or not the birds will use the house should be studied before making a purchase). In regards to design, the frilly bird house with Victorian leanings or rustic bird house will not mix into many contemporary landscape themes. So choose wisely. As a side note: bird houses for owls are among the most popular nesting boxes used by gardeners, not necessarily the most attractive of bird houses but a great way to naturally control rodents and other garden pests.

I have designed my own landscape as a certified backyard wildlife habitat, a designation awarded by the National Wildlife Federation once I satisfied their list of criteria. This status is fairly easily attained once the basics for attracting birds and other wildlife are met. For more information and a complete checklist to certifying a landscape as an NWF wildlife habitat, go to:  https://www.nwf.org/garden-for-wildlife/certify.

I certified my landscape 20 years ago, and am continually amazed and delighted at the variety of birds, both year-round and seasonal residents, that the gardens attract.  Providing at least one fresh source  of water is essential, as is the use plant species that can provide natural food sources as well as shelter for nesting and raising young. While few of us have natural water sources on or near our properties, we add basins for water, add nesting boxes and feeders, and plant trees, shrubs, and perennials that can feed and provide nesting cover for the birds. Once everything is in place, the backyard habitat garden will come alive with the birds and other critters that inhabit your area.