Native plants providing the necessary foods birds need to survive and thrive
Photo: Will Stuart
"It's simple: By gardening with native plants, no matter where you live or how small or large your space is, you can help sustain wildlife." - Doug Tallamy, Bringing Nature Home
Your yard -- and the kinds of plants in it -- matters more than you may know. Native plants play a very important role in providing the food birds need to survive and thrive in a way that non-native plants cannot do.
Going Native
Native plants are those that occur naturally in an area. North Carolina, with its diverse geography, is home to thousands of native plant species! Our natural wildlife - including birds - have adapted to the resources provided by North Carolina's native plant population. These plants and trees are, in a real sense, home for our birds.
The current population of native plants is becoming displaced by non-native, exotic and often vigorously growing species. These invasive exotic plants encroach on natural habitats and do not provide the nutrients many birds need to survive.
Why are native plants important?
In a word: insects... Almost all land birds require insects to feed their young. Even seed-eating birds often must feed their babies insects to ensure their survival. Insects cannot adapt to eating non-native plants. Less native plants means less insects, which in turn means fewer bird babies growing to adulthood.
Where to find native plants?
Below, you will find a list of recommended and approved nurseries in North Carolina that specialize in selling native seeds and plants. These retailers are all participating partners of Audubon North Carolina's Bird-Friendly Native Plants of the Year program.
Native plants play a very important role in providing the food birds need to survive and thrive.
The Bird-Friendly Native Plants of the Year list is here! Download it now.
Find a retailer near you that carries the Native Plants of the Year
Find all the resources you need to make your backyard bird friendly. Download list of native plants that work for your area.
We’re partnering with local plant nurseries and growers to offer more bird-friendly native plants to add to your garden to help our birds.
We are creating a local base of buyers for native plants, and now we need YOU – our local growers and nurserymen.
We are excited to announce that all three of our regional native plants for birds brochures (mountain, piedmont and coast) are now available in Spanish
Get information on how to make your favorite native plants thrive in your bird-friendly garden.
Audubon North Carolina's Bird-Friendly Native Plants of the Year program works to bring back native plants that specifically benefit birds, our environment and our local economy.
Birds need your help to face complex challenges. Donate today!
Keep up-to-date on all that happens with Audubon North Carolina's research, events and volunteer opportunities.