Armand Clematis, GFDL

Spring is on its way. Have some fun planning, preparing, and shopping for the wildlife you want visiting this spring.

1. An Attractive Vine

Find a pretty, wildlife-attracting vine, one that can be grown in a container and trained up a trellis or railing on your small porch, patio, deck, or balcony.

Some selections include

Hyacinth Bean

• Hyacinth Bean (Lablab purpureus)

  A gorgeous annual in most zones; seeds from Park Seed

• Armand's Clematis (Clematis armandii)

  A rugged evergreen, annual in most zones

• Trumpet Honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens)

  Perennial in Zones 4 and greater; attracts birds and butterflies

2. Fun with Water In Action

Bubbling Birdbath, CrinkleCrankle.com

Have fun hunting down a water feature for your balcony, deck, or patio this spring. For a simple approach, check out a pedestal birdbath with a water burbler.

If you're dreaming big, you may want to check out one of my favorites, a three-tier cascading fountain. For more information, see my article on moving water in birdbaths.

3. Architect Housing

Toad

Have fun learning about birdhouses, bat houses, toad houses, and other critter houses that might work in your situation.

4. Bring the Birds Close

Try a suction-cup feeder to bring the birds close to your windows for easier viewing (be careful of window collisions).

5. Online Plant Catalogs

Have fun surfing online plant catalogs for wildlife-attracting plants you can use in containers. Often online specials will save you money.

6. Encourage Squirrel Acrobats

Squirrel Feeder

Some squirrel feeders out there are a challenge to squirrels and entertaining to watch.

7. Butterfly Plants

Monarch on Flower

Identify a familiar plant -- or perhaps a new favorite -- that is simple to grow, yet attracts butterflies. You can have fun planting masses of flowers in containers and filling your space.