Everyone I know enjoys the beauty of flowers during spring and summer. Whether in-ground or in containers, flowers add that oomph! to a front yard. Curb appeal.

But nobody I know likes it when the flowers start drooping, falling down and drying out. Well, of course dying out is part of natural process and as gardeners, we think that we have to clean up our plants and compost them. But for the bird lovers among us, there’s another way.

Instead of discarding the flowers and plants, leave them as food. For wildlife, especially the birds that remain with us through the cold months or travel thousands of miles during migration, those fading plants are a lifeline. Plus, eating from plants is safer to birds and other wildlife than using bird feeders, which pose risks of diseases that can spread to wherever the birds may travel.

Seed heads from coneflowers, black-eyed Susans, grasses, and many other perennials provide essential calories at times when insects are scarce and temperatures are lower, especially here in NE Ohio. Even planters on patios or balconies—often overlooked as meaningful habitat—become valuable feeding stations. The birds in the video below are munching from a deck planter full of marigolds and zinnias. Our food station is a stop for migrating birds and the overwintering Cardinals, Robins and Blue Jays.

Feeding birds from flowers is a safer alternative to traditional bird feeders. While feeders are useful, they can to disease transmission, attract unwanted pests, and they are costly to maintain. Leaving natural plant material in place lets you enjoy birds up close, without introducing the risks that feeders sometimes pose.

Note: Be careful about the plants and flowers left for food. Not all seeds or plant parts are safe for wildlife, and some ornamental species can be toxic to birds. Before using your garden or patio as a natural feeding station, verify flower and plant safety by referencing the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s website.

By leaving food for wildlife, we are participating in a simple, accessible, effortless act of conservation. Save some time, make a conservation impact, and then compost the remains. So let your garden rest this season. Let the seed heads stand and let the birds eat.

---

Cardinals apparently really dig container gardens. Buy marigold plants to attract cardinals to your garden next fall! Let’s grow something!