Container plants can be a good way to attract wildlife to your small outdoor area. The choices are almost endless, limited only by space, availability, and climate.

Quick Start

For sunny outdoor areas, try cosmos, zinnia, or marigolds. For shady areas, try impatiens, bee balm (monarda), or cardinal flower.

Considerations

When choosing a container plant, consider whether the plant

• will live in your USDA climate zone
• will handle your outdoor area's configuration, including size and sun considerations
• lives for only one year (annual) or will come back every year (perennial)
• what kind of wildlife you want to attract

The Plants

I suggest sun-loving, easy-to-grow plants that will attract the most wildlife - preferably native plants.

Note in some cases where many species of plant in a particular genus or family will attract wildlife, I list only the family or genus. This makes it easier for people in different locales to find a plant specific to and available in their region.

Suggestions

• Bulbs: crocus, grape hyacinth (muscari)
• Flowers: zinnias, marigolds, cosmos, dwarf sunflower
• Herbs: bee balm (monarda), sage (salvia)
• Vines: container varieties of clematis, passion vine, honeysuckle, wild grape (Vitis)
• Shrubs: dwarf varieties of huckleberry, viburnum, American beautyberry (Callicarpa)
• Trees: miniature or dwarf varieties of spruce, pine, or fir

Online Sources of Plants and Seeds

• Main Street Seed and Supply
• High Country Gardens
• Ecolage
• Old House Gardens
• Birds-n-Garden