When the season is cold and gray, the sight of colorful birds feasting on winter berries from the trees and shrubs you’ve planted just for them is both cheering and heartwarming.
And there are so many different trees and shrubs to provide this wildlife-friendly feast!
In this article, we’re going to discuss the merits of 21 different species with winter berries for wildlife gardens. Note, that not all of these are technically berries in the scientific sense, but they are fruits!
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We’ll cover the practicalities – size and growing conditions – as well as the types of fruits these plants produce, and which birds they will attract. But that’s not all.
Winter berry production in trees and shrubs is the result of reproduction, of course!
And while having several individuals of a given plant will always result in better fruit set than having just one specimen, with some of these trees and shrubs you’ll need a male plant for the females to produce berries – I’ll let you know which ones those are.
You’ll also learn each plant’s USDA Hardiness Zone, its native region, and some related species of interest. And I’ll provide some tips on where you can purchase these wildlife-friendly trees and shrubs.
Here’s a sneak peek at our list of winter berry producers for wildlife gardens:
21 of the Best Plants for Wildlife Gardening
Before we get started learning about these different trees and shrubs, let’s amp up our motivation and consider the value and importance of growing winter berries for birds and other wildlife.
If you’re keeping the bird feeders in your yard well stocked, you no doubt already appreciate the joy and entertainment value of feeding wild birds during winter.
But not all birds eat seeds! And many that do eat seeds also rely on the calories and nutrients found in winter berries.
Rather than buying fruit from the supermarket and setting it out for hungry wild birds, a better approach is to grow the fruit yourself – in the form of trees and shrubs that produce winter berries!
Since you’re clearly already on board with this approach to gardening for wildlife, next you’ll get to choose which trees or shrubs to grow.
But there’s more to consider than just available space, growing conditions, and aesthetics. Here are a few other considerations to keep in mind when choosing trees and shrubs that produce winter berries for birds:
Avoid Conflict
One of the most important factors to keep in mind when gardening for wildlife is that it helps to take a preventative approach, avoiding conflict whenever possible.
In this instance, when choosing trees and shrubs to feed birds and other wildlife, select plants that you don’t want to eat from yourself.
Some of the following tree and shrub selections produce winter berries that are edible for humans as well as birds. Of course, there’s no problem sharing, but if you are a forager, keep in mind that your feathered visitors will likely beat you to the harvest – make sure you’re going to be okay with that!
Many attractive landscaping plants produce berries that are toxic for humans but perfectly delectable for birds – so why not take advantage of the land you steward to grow some of these in a dedicated wildlife garden in addition to the blueberries, elderberries, and brambles you’re growing for yourself?
Grow a Diverse Selection
Diversity is good in so many different ways, and you’ll want to keep it as a goal with this wildlife garden project as well.
Having several different sources of winter berries from a variety of trees and shrubs will help to ensure that the birds have a steady food supply – since fluctuating weather conditions like late frost or drought may affect the fruit production of some plants.
Also keep in mind that some winter berries are only attractive to birds and other wildlife after having gone through a freeze/thaw cycle, so growing a variety of trees and shrubs will help provide food throughout the entire winter.
Offer Habitat as Well as Food
If you’d like wild birds to hang around in your yard, remember that they need places to live as well as food to eat.
Trees and shrubs with thick foliage or dense stems offer good nesting spots and cover, so try to include such options in your wildlife garden as well.
Create Layers
Using plants with an assortment of growth habits – low growing and midsized shrubs, and trees, as well as perennial forbs – will create different “layers” in your wildlife-friendly landscape.
In turn, this will attract more species since many birds like to perch at particular heights. Some birds spend lots of time on the ground, other birds perch at around human eye-level, and still others prefer to be much higher.
Providing a mixture of layers in the form of different plantings will encourage an assortment of feathered visitors to your yard.
Plant Native
Finally, choose trees and shrubs that are native to your location to make the biggest impact in your effort to feed the birds.
As entomologist and wildlife ecologist Doug Tallamy explains in his book “Bringing Nature Home,” available via Amazon, if we want to support birds, we can’t just feed the adults – we also need to help them feed their babies.
And (spoiler alert) what baby birds eat is larval insects! So the best long term approach to keeping larval insects around is to plant native trees and shrubs.
That’s because local insect populations have co-evolved with native plants. Don’t worry though, in most cases you won’t even notice that these insects are feeding on your plants – these are long-forged, balanced relationships.
Birds need insects to feed their young as winter ends, so the presence of native trees and shrubs provides not just winter berries – but spring bugs too. Native species help to provide food for birds’ whole life cycle rather than just a single season.
Plus, there’s evidence that birds prefer the fruits of native trees and shrubs compared with that of many introduced species that may be considered invasive.
And I haven’t even mentioned the value of native plants to pollinators!
That’s why the selection of winter berry producing trees and shrubs in this article is focused on species native to North America.
But if you live in a different part of the world, there may be a close relative of the selected species that will fit perfectly into your wildlife garden as well, so read on to learn more!
Now without further delay, let’s dig into our list of outstanding trees and shrubs for wildlife gardens:
1. American Beautyberry
American beautyberry (Callicarpa americana) is a medium-sized shrub that usually grows three to five feet tall and wide – though it can sometimes reach up to nine feet tall and wide – and offers good cover and nesting sites for birds.
With an open, upright growth habit and arching branches, this shrub’s leaves turn goldish-yellow in autumn.
Native to the southeast and parts of the Mid-Atlantic US, as well as the Caribbean, American beautyberry bears fabulous purple clusters of fruits along the leaf axils of its stems.
Berries are produced in late summer, remaining on the branches of the plant through fall and winter.
The winter berries on this deciduous shrub are an important food source for birds such as black-throated blue warblers (Setophaga caerulescens), mockingbirds (Mimidae spp.), and Northern bobwhites (Colinus virginianus), as well as many other types of wildlife.
American beautyberry grows in USDA Hardiness Zones 6 to 10, in full sun or part shade. It’s not picky about soil type as long as there’s good drainage, and it can thrive in moist to occasionally dry soils.
Ready to add the purple berries of this shrub to your wild birds’ winter menu?
You’ll find live American beautyberry shrubs available for purchase at Fast Growing Trees.
Don’t live in North America?
There are other trees and shrubs in the Callicarpa genus native to Asia, Australia, South America, and Madagascar, such as Bodinier’s beautyberry (C. bodinieri), Japanese beautyberry (C. japonica), and purple beautyberry (C. dichotoma).
Learn more about growing American beautyberry in our article.
2. American Holly
Native to the central and eastern United States, American Holly (Ilex opaca) grows to be 10 to 20 feet wide and 15 to 25 feet tall in drier areas, but can reach up to 100 feet tall in areas with more rainfall.
Also known as “Christmas holly,” this broadleaf evergreen tree has an upright, conical or pyramidal shape, and berries that are usually bright red, but sometimes yellow or orange.
The berries are produced in late summer, and remain on the plant throughout fall and early winter.
When it comes to feeding the birds, American holly can fill the bellies of American robins (Turdus migratorius), Carolina chickadees (Poecile carolinensis), eastern bluebirds (Siala sialis), northern bobwhites, northern cardinals (Cardinalis cardinalis), northern mockingbirds (Mimus polyglottos), and wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo), among others!
In addition to providing food, these evergreens also provide nesting sites and cover for birds and small mammals.
A great choice for wildlife gardeners in USDA Hardiness Zones 5 to 9, American holly grows best in full sun to part shade, in clay, loam, or rocky soils, and requires good drainage.
This type of holly tolerates occasional dry spells as well as moist conditions.
Keep in mind, with these you’ll need a male plant as well as a female specimen to produce berries.
With its red winter berries, is this evergreen holly perfect for your bird and wildlife garden plans?
You’ll find live American holly trees available for purchase in two-quart, two-gallon, and three-gallon pots at Fast Growing Trees.
And this is only the first of several Ilex species you’ll read about in this article – so if this one isn’t quite right for your location or growing conditions, keep reading to discover other wildlife-friendly hollies – both evergreen and deciduous.
Want to learn more about American holly? Read our article!
3. American Mountain Ash
American mountain ash (Sorbus americana) is a large shrub or understory tree that hails from Newfoundland in eastern Canada down to the northern central and eastern United States as far south as Georgia.
This tree has a rounded to oval shape and deciduous leaves that turn yellow in fall.
Also known as “American rowan,” this tree reaches up to 20 feet wide and 35 feet tall, offering high perching options for birds. It bears orangish red berries in fall that remain on trees for winter wildlife foraging.
Among the birds who enjoy dining on the winter berries of the American mountain ash are American robins, grosbeaks (Fringillidae and Cardinalidae), grouse (Tetraonini), and waxwings (Bombycilla spp.).
Not related to ash trees (Fraxinus spp.), American mountain ashes are classified botanically in the rose family.
Best for USDA Hardiness Zones 2 to 6, American mountain ash grows well in full sun to part shade, and prefers acidic, well-draining, moist soil. This species is especially well-suited to mountain areas that have soils with high granite content.
Want to try propagating your own American mountain ash for a supply of bird-friendly winter berries?
Pack of 10 American Mountain Ash Seeds
Purchase American mountain ash seeds in packs of 10 via Amazon.
Curious what other mountain ash options are out there?
Trees and shrubs in the Sorbus genus are widespread throughout the Northern Hemisphere, including such species as showy mountain ash (S. decora), which is native to northeastern North America.
You can find showy mountain ash available for purchase via Nature Hills.
Live in Europe, Russia, or northern Asia? Choose European rowan (S. aucuparia) – more commonly referred to simply as “rowan” or “mountain ash” – for your wildlife garden.
4. Blackhaw Viburnum
Native to the Central and Eastern US, blackhaw viburnum (Viburnum prunifolium) is a small tree or large shrub that can grow up to 20 feet tall and wide.
This deciduous species has a rounded shape and leaves that turn beautiful shades of red and purple in autumn.
Purplish-black berries ripen in fall and can remain on the branches throughout winter, providing food for migratory and resident birds as well as squirrels and chipmunks.
The berries of blackhaw viburnum are enjoyed by birds like American robins, blue jays (Cyanocitta cristata), northern cardinals, northern mockingbirds, ruffed grouse (Bonasa umbellus), sparrows (Passerellidae), and wild turkeys.
Hardy in USDA Hardiness Zones 3 to 9, blackhaw viburnum can be grown in full sun or part shade, and in a variety of soil types as long as drainage is good.
‘Forest Rouge’ is a cultivar of V. prunifolium that has a more oval shape than the straight species and is known for its excellent fall color, with leaves turning maroon in autumn.
Want to feed the birds these winter berries while growing one of the best shrubs for fall color?
‘Forest Rouge’ Blackhaw Viburnum
You can purchase a three- to five-year old, live ‘Forest Rouge’ blackhaw viburnum shrub via Nature Hills.
Interested in finding out more about the members of the Viburnum genus?
Learn more about the wonderful world of viburnums in our growing guide.
5. Black Hawthorn
Black hawthorn (Crataegus douglasii) is native to the Pacific Northwest, Alaska, and other northern states of the US, as well as parts of Canada.
This deciduous tree grows up to 35 feet tall and wide, and has an upright, multi-stemmed growth habit, with brilliant, orangish-red fall color.
Its pome-style fruits, called “haws,” ripen to purplish black in late summer and remain on the tree throughout winter – or until they are eaten by the birds.
American robins, cedar waxwings (Bombycilla cedrorum), fox sparrows (Passerella iliaca), and ruffed grouse are among the birds likely to put the haws to good nutritional use.
These trees produce thorns, but don’t be put off by this prickly feature. These thorns help protect certain birds from predators, and allow others, such as shrikes (Laniidae) to kill their prey – rodents.
Plus, you might also want to consider including black hawthorn in your defensive planting strategy.
Grow black hawthorn in USDA Hardiness Zones 4 to 8, in full sun or part shade, and in a variety of well-draining, moist soils.
Ready to grow your own supply of winter haws for the birds?
Black Hawthorn Seeds Packs of 10
You’ll find black hawthorn seeds available for purchase in packs of ten via Amazon.
There are many different types of wildlife-friendly hawthorn trees, and species in the Crataegus genus can be found throughout the Northern Hemisphere.
Find out more about growing hawthorn trees in our guide.
6. Common Hackberry
Common hackberry (Celtis occidentalis) can grow to be 40 to 60 feet tall and wide, providing high branches for birds to perch in. This tree is native to central and eastern Canada, and the west central and eastern US.
Mature trees have a rounded or pyramidal shape, with deciduous leaves that turn yellow in fall.
These trees produce berry-like drupes that turn a deep purple hue when ripe and are extremely attractive to birds and other wildlife.
Common hackberries provide winter food for small mammals, and birds such as American robins, cedar waxwings, grouse, pheasants (Phasianidae), quail (Phasianoidea), and titmice (Baeolophus spp).
An excellent choice for wildlife gardeners in USDA Hardiness Zones 3 to 9, common hackberry grows in full sun, part shade, or full shade, isn’t fussy about soil type, and requires good drainage. As for water, this tree thrives in moist conditions but tolerates occasional dryness.
If you want to add this tree’s winter berries to your winter wildlife menu, you’ll find four- to five-foot tall, bare root common hackberry trees available for purchase at Nature Hills Nursery.
If common hackberry isn’t the right plant for your bird and wildlife garden, consider another species from the Celtis genus, whose members are widespread across the globe.
Learn more about growing hackberries in our guide.
7. Common Ninebark
Common ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius) is native to eastern Canada and the north central and eastern US, ranging as far west as Colorado.
Also known as “eastern ninebark” and “Atlantic ninebark,” this medium sized shrub reaches five to eight feet tall and six to 10 feet wide. Its blooms are similar to those of spirea.
With an upright, arching growth habit, common ninebark has deciduous leaves that change to copper and gold in fall and its peeling, reddish brown bark is extremely attractive in winter.
Common ninebark’s fruits are inflated capsules that start out dark red in color, fading to pinkish tan. These remain on the shrub during winter if not eaten by birds earlier.
These shrubs attract birds such as doves (Columbidae), finches (Fringillidae.), geese (Anatidae), and wild turkeys, and their branches are dense, so they provide good cover for birds and small mammals as well.
Common ninebark is hardy in USDA Hardiness Zones 2 to 8, grows in full sun to part shade, and requires good drainage. It tolerates soils that are intermittently wet or prone to flooding, but can also grow in dry to medium moisture conditions.
Want to grow common ninebark in your wildlife garden?
You’ll find live, one- to two-foot tall, bare root common ninebark plants available for purchase via Nature Hills.
Most species of ninebark are native to North America, though at least one (P. amurensis) is native to Asia. And there are also several cultivars of P. opulifolius of interest.
‘Sweet Cherry Tea’ is a P. opulifolius cultivar that has orange-red to dark purple foliage, blooms in both spring and summer, and remains compact at three to four feet tall and wide.
‘Sweet Cherry Tea’ is available in a selection of pot sizes from Fast Growing Trees.
8. Common Snowberry
A deciduous, woody shrub, common snowberry (Symphoricarpos albus) grows to be six feet tall and wide.
Shrubs have an arching, rounded growth habit, with deciduous leaves that turn yellow in autumn.
Native to a large range of North America, this multi-stemmed shrub is graced with bright white, round berries during the cold months.
Many different types of birds enjoy these white berries in the cold of winter, including American robins, chickadees (Poecile spp.), grosbeaks, pine siskins (Spinus pinus), thrushes (Turdidae), towhees (Melozone and Pipilo spp.), and waxwings.
An all-round excellent choice for wildlife gardens, this member of the honeysuckle family has flowers that are highly attractive to pollinators, and its branches provide good habitat for birds and other wildlife as well.
Hardy in USDA Hardiness Zones 3 to 7, grow snowberry in full sun, in well-draining, moist to occasionally dry, non-granitic soils.
Want to add common snowberry and its white winter berries to your bird and wildlife-friendly garden?
You’ll find live common snowberry plants available for purchase at Nature Hills.
Common snowberry is one of about 15 species in the Symphoricarpos genus that go by the name of “snowberry” and are native to North America and China.
Read our article to learn more about snowberry shrubs.
9. Eastern Red Cedar
Eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana) is an evergreen coniferous tree that generally grows 30 to 60 feet tall and 10 to 20 feet wide, with some specimens growing up to 90 feet tall.
Not a true cedar, this juniper tree has an upright, pyramidal shape, and is native to Mexico, southeastern Canada, and the central and eastern US.
In fall, eastern red cedars produce blueish black seed cones that look like small berries. These remain on the trees throughout winter until foraged by birds or other wildlife.
Cedar waxwings and juncos (Junco spp.) are among the birds that love to eat these fruits, while small mammals will dine on them as well. The dense foliage also provides good cover for both birds and small mammals.
Hardy in Zones 2 to 9, eastern red cedars can be grown in full sun to part shade and are adaptable to a variety of soil types as long as drainage is good.
Eastern red cedars are usually dioecious, meaning some specimens will produce female cones and others will produce male cones. For fruiting, you’ll need a male as well as a female.
Is this conifer and its winter berries what you need for your wild bird garden?
You’ll find live eastern red cedar trees available for purchase in an array of sizes at Nature Hills.
Looking for a similar option for the western US or Canada? Choose Rocky Mountain juniper instead.
You can purchase live Rocky Mountain juniper trees from Nature Hills as well!
Eastern red cedars and Rocky Mountain junipers are excellent wildlife-friendly options for North America, with many different cultivars in different shapes, sizes, and colors, growing as both trees and shrubs.
However, there are also many other juniper species native to other regions in the Northern Hemisphere and beyond.
For comprehensive information about growing junipers, read our guide.
10. Eastern Wahoo
Growing up to 20 feet tall and 25 feet wide, eastern wahoo (Euonymus atropurpureus) is a deciduous shrub that’s native to eastern Canada, as well as the eastern and central US.
The crown of this species has a flat-topped, irregular shape, and deciduous leaves that put on a fall show in shades of gold and burgundy.
This species makes an excellent bird- and wildlife-friendly North American native alternative to the invasive burning bush (E. alatus).
Eastern wahoo produces unique looking fruits that ripen to a dark red hue in fall and remain on trees in winter – unless the birds find them first.
Bird fans of these winter berries include brown thrashers (Toxostoma rufum), catbirds (Mimidae), eastern bluebirds, eastern towhees (Pipilo erythrophthalmus), northern cardinals, and northern flickers (Colaptes auratus).
Eastern wahoo thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 3 to 8, and prefers full sun or part shade, moist clay, loam, or sandy soils, and good drainage.
Also of note – these are tolerant of juglone and can be planted near black walnuts.
Do I hear you bird lovers shouting “woohoo!” for the winter berries of eastern wahoo?
You’ll find 12- to 18-inch eastern wahoo plants for purchase via Amazon.
The members of the Euonymous genus are widespread throughout the Northern Hemisphere and parts of the Southern Hemisphere.
If you’d like to learn more about euonymus shrubs, read our growing guide.
11. Fragrant Sumac
Fragrant sumac (Rhus trilobata) is native to the western and central US, central Canada, and Mexico. This woody shrub grows to be six to 12 feet tall and four to six feet wide.
With deciduous leaves turning bright shades of orange, red, and purple in fall, fragrant sumac has an upright, ascending or spreading growth habit.
It produces clusters of small red berries in summer that remain on trees throughout winter – or until wildlife and birds feast on them.
Over 95 different species of birds eat the winter berries of sumac shrubs – including chickadees, tanagers (Thraupidae spp.), and woodpeckers (Picidae spp).
And while sumac berries don’t tend to be most birds’ first choice, they readily dine on them when other winter forage is sparse.
Hardy in Zones 4 to 6, fragrant sumac grows beautifully in full sun or dappled sunlight. It adapts to a wide range of well-draining soil types, and can handle moist to very dry conditions once established.
Fragrant sumac is dioecious, with plants producing either male or female flowers, so make sure to include both a male and a female specimen in your planting.
‘Autumn Amber’ is a cultivar of R. trilobata that is low growing, reaching just 10 to 14 inches tall, making up for its lack of height with a prodigious spread of six to eight feet.
Searching for your own sumac for winter berries for the birds?
You’ll find one and a half to two and a half year old ‘Autumn Amber’ R. trilobata sumac shrubs available for purchase at Nature Hills.
While R. trilobata is an ideal choice for wildlife gardens in central or western regions of the US, if you live in the eastern part of North America, look for R. aromatica – which, by the way, some botanists consider to be the same species as its western counterpart anyway!
Rhus is another genus that is widespread throughout the world, with over 50 different species of sumacs.
12. Nannyberry Viburnum
Also known as “cowberry,” “sweet viburnum” and “sheepberry,” nannyberry viburnum (Viburnum lentago) is native to the northeastern and midwestern US and southern Canada.
These small trees usually have a spread of eight to 15 feet, and reach 14 to 16 feet tall – but sometimes grow to be 20 to 30 feet tall.
Nannyberry viburnum has an arching growth habit and deciduous leaves that turn purple and gold in fall, with small fruits that ripen to a bluish black hue.
They provide an important source of winter berries for small mammals, as well as birds like blue jays and crows (Corvus spp.).
These small trees are hardy in Zones 3 to 7, and grow best in full sun to part shade and in moist, clay or loam soils with good drainage.
Need one of these nannyberry viburnums for winter berries for the birds?
You’ll find two- to four-year-old nannyberry viburnum shrubs available for purchase at Nature Hills.
Wildlife-friendly viburnums have a widespread native range throughout the Northern Hemisphere, but these trees and shrubs also hail from South America and tropical Asia.
13. Northern Bayberry
Northern bayberry (Myrica pensylvanica) is a deciduous to semi-evergreen shrub that reaches between five and 10 feet tall and wide.
With a rounded shape and fragrant leaves, this shrub is native to eastern Canada, the Mid-Atlantic and northeastern US, as well as Alabama, North Carolina, and Virginia.
Also known as “candleberry” and “swamp candleberry,” the dense foliage of this shrub can develop a bronze or purple tinge during cold weather.
Its fruits mature in fall and can remain on shrubs until spring if not eaten first. These blueish-white berries have a high fat content and are a valuable source of nutrition for birds and other wildlife during the winter.
The fruits of northern bayberries attract avian visitors such as bluebirds (Sialia spp.), catbirds, chickadees, red-bellied woodpeckers (Melanerpes carolinus), tree swallows (Tachycineta bicolor), and yellow-rumped warblers (Setophaga coronata).
These dense shrubs also offer good habitat for birds and other wildlife.
Hardy in Zones 3 to 7, northern bayberry requires full sun to part shade, and is adaptable to different soil types as long as drainage is good.
Northern bayberries are usually dioecious, so make sure to grow both male and female plants.
Can’t wait to smell these fragrant shrubs and to watch your local birds devour their winter berries?
You’ll find live northern bayberry shrubs available for purchase in a choice of plant sizes at Nature Hills.
While this species is a perfect fit for wildlife gardens in the northeastern US, its southern counterpart is included in this list as well. Keep reading – you’ll learn about it later in the article!
14. Northern Spicebush
A favorite of many types of birds, northern spicebush (Lindera benzoin) is native to the central and eastern United States, as well as southeast Canada.
Also known as “common spicebush,” it has a rounded shape, and fragrant, deciduous leaves that turn yellow in fall.
This shrub grows to be six to 15 feet tall and wide, and produces bright red fruits that mature in fall and remain on plants throughout the winter.
Blue jays, tanagers, and wood thrushes (Hylocichla mustelina) are among the birds that love northern spicebush’s winter berries – and raccoons, possums, and squirrels will eat these fruits as well.
In addition to providing winter food for birds, northern spicebush also offers cover and nesting sites.
Hardy in Zones 5 to 9, spicebush should be grown in part shade and is adaptable to soils that are dry to moist.
For northern spicebush to produce berries, make sure to grow a male plant as well as a female in your wildlife garden.
Ready to spice up your yard with some winter berries for the birds?
You’ll find live northern spicebush plants available for purchase at Nature Hills.
In addition to North American natives, there are also Lindera species native to Asia and Oceania, with at least 80 different members in the genus.
15. Possumhaw Holly
Native to the southeastern US as well as northern Mexico, possumhaw holly (Ilex decidua) is a small tree or large shrub that reaches seven to 15 feet tall and wide.
Possumhaw hollies have a rounded, horizontal, or vase shaped growth habit.
Unlike many types of holly you may be more familiar with, such as English holly, this species is not evergreen – it loses its leaves in fall. But before they drop, they turn lovely shades of yellow and purple.
This deciduous holly produces orange, red, or burgundy berries that cling to branches throughout winter, providing visual interest as well as bird and wildlife forage.
These holly trees feed a variety of birds with their winter berries including American robins, cedar waxwings, mockingbirds, and northern bobwhites.
Possumhaw holly can be grown in wildlife gardens in USDA Hardiness Zones 5 to 9. They thrive in a variety of soil types as long as the soil is well draining and somewhat acidic. Provide them with full sun to part shade, where they will tolerate dry spells as well as moist soils.
These plants are either male or female, so grow one of each for fruit production.
Are you pondering the purchase of a possumhaw as a source of winter berries for birds?
If so, you’ll find live possumhaw holly plants available at Nature Hills Nursery.
Keep reading for more wildlife-friendly holly options!
16. Red Osier Dogwood
Red osier dogwood (Cornus sericea) is a deciduous woody shrub that is a widespread native in North America, growing throughout Canada and the US, except for the southeastern states.
Also known as “red twig dogwood,” and “red stem dogwood,” this shrub reaches six to nine feet tall and has a spread of seven to 10 feet.
Red osier dogwoods have an upright, spreading growth habit and deciduous leaves that turn red, orange, and burgundy in autumn.
With striking red or yellow stems that become more apparent in winter, this species bears white berries, held on branches through the cold months until eaten by birds and other wildlife.
Among the birds attracted to these winter berries are American robins, bluebirds, cardinals (Cardinalis spp), cedar waxwings, dark-eyed juncos (Junco hyemalis), nuthatches (Sittidae), tufted titmice, warblers (Parulidae), and woodpeckers.
These shrubs tend to form thickets which provide excellent habitat for birds.
Red osier dogwood grows in USDA Hardiness Zones 3 to 9, in full sun to part shade, and in a variety of soil types. Though it tolerates occasional dry spells, it prefers wet areas such as riparian zones, and can be put to beautiful use in a rain garden.
With a perfect name to attract birds and bird lovers, ‘Cardinal’ is a fast-growing cultivar of C. sericea that reaches six to nine feet tall, and has excellent fall color.
Ready to add this source of winter berries to your own wildlife garden?
You’ll find live ‘Cardinal’ red osier dogwood shrubs available in various sizes at Nature Hills.
With over 50 different species spread across the globe, dogwoods are especially useful landscaping plants when gardening for wildlife.
Discover 23 different types of dogwood varieties for the yard in our guide.
17. Tall Oregon Grape
Tall Oregon grape (Berberis aquifolium) is a shrub that reaches five to eight feet tall and has a spread of three to six feet.
This species is native to the Pacific Northwest region of the US, as well as Montana, and British Columbia in Canada. It has a columnar or oval growth habit and evergreen leaves that turn gorgeous shades of purple and burgundy in fall.
Formerly classified as Mahonia aquifolium, tall Oregon grape produces blueish-black berries in late summer to fall, which are retained on plants through the colder months until enjoyed by birds and other wildlife.
Oregon grapes attract a variety of wild birds, including American robins, grouse, juncos, pheasants, sparrows, towhees, and waxwings. Foxes and raccoons also enjoy feasting on these winter berries, and its dense foliage provides good cover for birds as well.
Also known as “holly-leaved barberry” and “holly-leaved Oregon grape,” this woody plant is not closely related to hollies, even though its spiny leaves are quite similar in shape.
Grow tall Oregon grape in full sun to part shade in USDA Hardiness Zones 5 to 9. These shrubs thrive in soils rich in organic matter, require good drainage, and are tolerant of different water conditions once established.
Want to grow your own tall Oregon grapes as a source of winter berries for birds?
You’ll find live tall Oregon grape shrubs available for purchase at Fast Growing Trees.
In addition to Oregon grapes, previously classified as Mahonia, there are other Berberis species you may want to include in your landscape when gardening for wildlife.
Discover other types of Oregon grape and find growing tips here.
18. Toyon
The plant that gave Hollywood its name, California holly, also known as “toyon” (Heteromeles arbutifolia) is native to California in the US and Baja California in Mexico.
This small broadleaf evergreen tree or large shrub grows to be six to 30 feet tall, and 10 to 15 feet wide.
Previously classified as Photinia arbutifolia, toyon has a mounding growth habit and as an evergreen, keeps its green leaves throughout the cold months.
Toyon produces small, bright red berries that ripen in autumn and remain on trees throughout winter until birds devour them.
Its berries are enjoyed by birds that include American robins, bluebirds, cedar waxwings, and mockingbirds, but also coyotes and bears.
The thick foliage of these shrubs also offers good cover and nesting sites for birds.
Hardy in USDA Hardiness Zones 7 to 10, toyon grows in full sun to part shade, and is considered a xeric plant, with very low water needs once established. It tolerates a wide variety of soil types.
Tempted to try toyon in your bird-friendly wildlife garden?
You’ll find live toyon plants available for purchase at Nature Hills.
Though called California holly, this plant is not a true holly. For botanical purposes, it is classified in the rose family and is more closely related to pyracanthas and cotoneasters, but it is the sole species in its genus, Heteromeles.
Learn more about growing toyon (California holly) here.
19. Wax Myrtle
Also known as “southern bayberry,” “tallow shrub,” and “candleberry,” wax myrtle (Myrica cerifera) is a shrub that’s native to the southern and eastern US from Texas to New Jersey, as well as Mexico and the Caribbean.
With dense, semi-evergreen to evergreen foliage, wax myrtle has an upright, rounded and spreading growth habit and produces masses of whitish-blue fruits.
Wax myrtles attract many types of birds, including American robins, Carolina wrens (Thryothorus ludovicianus), chickadees, gray catbirds (Dumetella carolinensis), northern cardinals, tree swallows, and yellow-rumped warblers.
These plants also provide excellent nesting sites and cover for birds.
Great for wildlife gardeners in USDA Hardiness Zones 7 to 11, wax myrtles prosper in full sun to part shade, require good drainage and sandy soils, and thrive in occasionally dry to moist conditions.
Wax myrtles can be either dioecious or monoecious, so grow multiples to ensure fruit production.
Need some wax myrtles for a winter berry producing screen or hedge that will also provide cover for birds?
You’ll find wax myrtle plants in three-gallon containers available for purchase at Fast Growing Trees.
Myrica species grow throughout the world and the genus includes 30 to 50 species, many of which are known by the common name “bayberry” or “wax myrtle.”
Although they share the common name “myrtle” they aren’t closely related to members of the myrtle family like crape myrtle.
In fact, bayberries are more closely related to oaks (Quercus spp.), a genus of trees and shrubs which make excellent additions to wildlife gardens!
20. Winterberry Holly
Winterberry holly (Ilex verticillata) is native to the eastern US and Canada west to Texas, Arkansas, Missouri, Iowa, Minnesota, and Ontario.
With an oval to rounded growth habit, this species is a deciduous holly whose leaves turn yellow in autumn before they drop.
This woody shrub reaches up to 15 feet tall and wide, and produces loads of bright red berries that birds adore.
Winterberry holly makes excellent food for over 48 species of birds, such as American robins, cedar waxwings, eastern bluebirds, gray catbirds, grouse, quail, red-bellied woodpeckers, and wood thrushes.
Birds also use winterberry hollies as habitat and for perching.
This holly has a wide “comfort zone” and can be grown in wildlife-friendly gardens in Zones 3 to 9. It can be planted in full sun, part sun, or full shade and as long as drainage is good, it thrives in a variety of soil types provided the pH is on the acidic side.
Winterberry holly is dioecious, so grow at least one male for every three to six female plants.
‘Red Sprite’ is a compact cultivar of I. verticillata that reaches just three to five feet tall and wide, making it a great choice for a foundation planting in front of a house.
Does ‘Red Sprite’ seem like the magical choice for adding winter berries to your wildlife garden?
‘Red Sprite’ Winterberry Holly
You’ll find two- to four-year-old ‘Red Sprite’ winterberry holly plants available for purchase at Nature Hills.
‘Red Sprite’ needs a male pollinator to produce berries – and ‘Jim Dandy’ will do the job just fine.
You’ll find two- to four-year old plants at Nature Hills.
If you aren’t yet sure which holly is right for the birds in your yard, keep reading to learn about another option!
Learn more about growing winterberry holly in our guide.
21. Yaupon Holly
Yaupon holly (Ilex vomitoria) is a woody, broadleaf evergreen shrub or tree that can reach 45 feet tall and 35 feet wide.
These hollies are multi-trunked and have an upright, rounded to oval shape.
Native to the southeast US from Virginia to Texas, as well as Cuba and Mexico, yaupon hollies produce bright red berries that remain on plants throughout winter – until the birds find them.
American robins, cedar waxwings, mourning doves (Zenaida macroura), and a type of woodpecker known as the yellow-bellied sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius) are among the birds that yaupon hollies attract.
And with their evergreen leaves, yaupon hollies provide good cover for birds.
If you have been avoiding hollies because of their prickly leaves, you might want to consider this one, as its leaves are not spiny.
Hardy in Zones 7 to 9, yaupon holly can be grown in full sun, part shade, or full shade, in a variety of soil types, and thrives in moist soils as well as those that are occasionally dry.
These hollies are dioecious, so make sure you have a male as well as female plants to grow your own bird food.
Ready to grow your own bird-friendly, winter berry producing yaupon holly?
You’ll find two-foot-tall, live yaupon holly plants available for purchase via Amazon.
Want to learn more about yaupon holly? Read our article.
Hollies (Ilex spp.) have a wide distribution throughout the world, with over 500 different species, presenting many options for wildlife-friendly gardens that attract birds!
Learn more about growing hollies here.
Winter Berries are for the Birds
With this assortment of trees and shrubs, there are enough options to blanket your backyard with cold season fodder for your feathered friends.
Which wildlife-friendly trees and shrubs will you grow for the birds? Do you have any other favorite producers of winter berries that I didn’t include here? Let us know in the comments section below! And be sure to tell us which wonderful birds are dining in your garden!
Want to dig in to more reading about trees and shrubs to help you create your wildlife garden? We have more for you right here:
