Birdbath Garden

My new project for this fall and next spring is a birdbath garden. It will be a kidney shaped garden spot with the tree being on the right center of the kidney. The birdbath will be located on the back of the kidney curve on the left side. You can see their designated locations in the attached photo. I will be moving the hosta located on the backside of the tree and leaving the hosta on the front side of the tree. I may or may not relocate the removed hosta around to the left front side. I'm not to sure about that though, it doesn't seem right when I picture it in my head. I have planted 5 peonies around the back curve of the kidney up to the birdbath. Directly in front of the peonies on both sides of the birdbath I planted 'Purple Haze' Agastache. At the base of the birdbath I planted 4 NOID pink Amaryllis. I would like to make this spot for the birds as I have a hummingbird and butterfly garden on the other side of the house. I have two bird feeders in the tree and would like to keep the birds over here by the bird feeders. What other plants would you recommend planting in this area?

The first picture is looking directly from the street. This picture is looking from my driveway.

I have that same birdbath! In fact, I have 9 birdbaths scattered around my backyard, so the first thing I will suggest is that you add 2-3 more there. Perhaps a cluster of baths? Okay, I'll admit, I do get carried away.

I can't suggest what to plant around the birdbath, but will suggest that you leave 2-3 sides of it open. Birds, especially on the ground, don't like to feel that they're surrounded while they're bathing (ie, in a vunerable position). They need to be able to see predators and need a clear path of escape. Planting things nearby is good, as it allows them to perch before going down, but I wouldn't plant anything right up against the bath itself. Or at least not completely surrounding it.

You've got a good start, Catz, I hope you'll share more pictures.

Carla

Oh didn't think about that :) Thank you Carla. I'll be sure to post pics at some point in the future :)

They also need a place to perch afterwards. It can be lowish, but need to have clear vision.

Will they not use the tree?

Depends on which birds are visiting & if they think that the tree is safe.

Hi Catz, low growing branches nearby as suggested are really helpful for the birds. I set mine up right in the middle of my flower bed. Birds love that birdbath and they keep it busy most of the time.

This is the correct one...
starting from the back of the bed and moving to the front
red circles are peonies with different flowering times and colors
purple circles are agastache purple haze
yellow circles are various flowering bulbs with different flowering times
blue circle is creeping lantana
black circle is guara white one and cherry brandy together
green circles are the hosta that were on the back side of the tree that I moved to the front border of the bed

This is where I still need help.
The orange circles I would like something darker colored and tall around4 ft or so
The grey circle I would like something that will fall/sprawl to go with the lantana

What do you think so far

Yes I will be getting a stand for the bath :)

What do y'all think about purple millet?

Looks like things are coming along well, nice design. Purple Millet would look really nice near your agastache. I was thinking a hardy fushia, in the gray circle for your zone. Hummingbird love them. Or a low growing Cotton Easter bush for berries.


A few others you might also consider, are Phlox, Monarda, Blueberry, Currant, Barberry with the purple/burgundy foliage, http://www.google.ca/search?q=barberry+bush&hl=en&rls=com.microsoft:en-us&prmd=imvns&source=lnms&tbm=isch&ei=EiCmTqd9idzRAbbCqfMN&sa=X&oi=mode_link&ct=mode&cd=2&ved=0CA8Q_AUoAQ&biw=1015&bih=534. Be careful with barberry, it's a thorny bush, but very pretty.

& make sure it is the native type & not the Japanese. It will spread all over.