Our feathered friends across the pond are sure to love these exotic-looking Australian native plants perfect for attracting local species. Add a touch of Down Under charm to your garden while supporting backyard biodiversity.

For non-stop color and nectar, you can’t beat Grevillea’s clusters of brilliant orange, red, and yellow lantern flowers. The hardy ‘Scarlet Sprite’ and compact ‘Fire Sprite’ thrive in full sun and tolerate drought once established, providing a constant source of food for honeyeaters and lorikeets.

Next up, tough Banksia species like Banksia ericifolia feature unique bottlebrush blooms and large seedpods, creating a year-round avian buffet. These resilient plants are ideal for coastal gardens and need minimal care. Grow Banksia ericifolia for vibrant orange winter blooms when food is scarce.

Kangaroo Paw will have your friends hopping with delight over its playful tube-shaped flowers in shades of red, pink, yellow and green. This compact plant grows well in light shade and handles summer humidity nicely. Hummingbirds love them!

Add some oomph to your spring garden with bright bottlebrushes bursting into nectar-rich flower just as migrating birds arrive. Weeping varieties like Callistemon viminalis have slender leaves perfect for nest building and tolerate both drought and frost once established.

Fabulous wattles like the golden wattle blanket gardens in spring with sweet fragrance and charming yellow blooms. These adaptable plants also provide insect food, seeds, and nectar for your feathered visitors.

Finally, stately eucalyptus trees hit the perfect trifecta: nectar for lorikeets, fruits for doves, and hollows for safe nest sites. Compact varieties of Eucalyptus ficifolia and melliodora work well in suburban gardens.

Attracting Hummingbirds

Hummingbirds are attracted to tubular, brightly colored flowers with abundant nectar. Some excellent plant choices include:

• Kangaroo Paw – The unique tubular flowers draw hummingbirds in with their bright red, yellow, pink, and green blooms.
• Bottlebrush – The red bottlebrush blossoms are a favorite of hummingbirds. Plant weeping varieties for added protection.
• Grevillea – Many grevillea varieties have colorful, nectar-rich flowers that attract hummingbirds. Grow low-growing types like ‘Scarlet Sprite’.
• Coral Tree – The bright red flowers of this small tree are highly attractive to hummingbirds.

Attracting Sparrows

Sparrows seek out plants that provide good cover, nesting sites, and a steady supply of seeds and insects. Some top options are:

• Asters – These daisy-like flowers produce abundant seeds that appeal to sparrows.
• Black-eyed Susan – Another plentiful seed producer that draws in sparrows.
• Blazing Star – Dense spikes of flowers offer cover and insect food.
• Elderberry – Birds feast on the fruits and take shelter in the shrub’s branches.
• Serviceberry – This small tree provides nutritious berries and dense branching structure.

Attracting Finches

Finches flock to plants that give them both shelter and access to plentiful seeds. Good choices include:

• Coneflower – The central cones provide lots of seeds. Plant en masse for best effect.
• Lupine – These towering flower spikes host copious seeds. Goldfinches love them.
• Milkweed – A favorite of goldfinches, which feast on the nutrient-rich seeds.
• Sunflowers – Massive seed production entices finches. Plant dwarf varieties for small spaces.
• Zinnia – Dense, low-growing zinnia beds create shelter while providing seeds.

Bring a bit of the rugged Australian bush to your backyard! By planting these vibrant native plants matched to your climate, you can kickstart a thriving, eco-friendly bird habitat.