If you enjoy watching beautiful butterflies, birds and other small animals frolicking in your yard, then you might consider creating a welcoming habitat for these creatures using the greenery, flowers and other outdoor features you add to your yard. Trees, shrubs and plants can provide shelter for birds and other small animals while water features and flowers provide them with needed sustenance. At the same time, it’s important to keep your lawn and greenery healthy with an irrigation system that consistently distributes just the right amount of water.
Shelter
Trees, shrubs and plants are more than just attractive landscaping features — they are also a source of shelter and food for birds and other wildlife. Especially in Florida, wildlife uses shrubs and plants as shade from the hot sun. Try ground cover plants such as Asiatic Jasmine, Mondo or Algerian Ivy. You can find a variety of birds and other critters making their home in multi-layered arrangements of greenery. These densely arranged pockets provide shelter and food, such as berries and nuts, for a variety of wildlife species. They can also offer a safe nesting spot to lay eggs or tend to their young.
Water
Birdbaths provide not only a beautiful focal point to your yard, they can also be an added source of water for birds. Choose a basin about 2 inches deep, and place close to trees or shrubs to help protect birds from bigger prey. Add fresh water daily and keep them clean to avoid disease and mosquito problems.
Thinking of an even bigger water feature for your yard? A man-made pond provides a soothing respite not only for people but animals as well. Fish can share the water with frogs and, if surrounded by plantings, bees and butterflies can add to the tranquil setting.
Food
Mother nature’s food for butterflies, bees and other insects also provide much enjoyment to people, as well. Flowers of all kinds can be planted to not only bring color and dimension to your yard, but provide pollen and nectar to these tiny creatures. In particular, butterflies and hummingbirds are attracted to flowers in shades of red, blue and yellow. Use a variety of plants that bloom at different times to supply pollen throughout the growing season.
An irrigation system will help promote plant growth, reduce weeds and preserve soil nutrients-factors that contribute to a healthy ecosystem right in your own yard.
At Challenger Irrigation, we help are happy to help homeowners in Hernando, Pasco, Pinellas and Citrus counties create a beautiful yard they can enjoy and one that is also welcoming to birds, butterflies and other small wildlife. Please call our office to learn more.
