Landscaping for Wildlife
Natural landscapes are diminishing, which is why we should do what we can to support ecosystems and wildlife. In this section, you’ll find information on landscaping for wildlife, including the importance of home gardening with native plants, attracting beneficial insects, gardening for birds, natural landscaping, and preventing deer damage. Find tips on poisonous plants, rain gardens, and bird feeder lessons.
How to Attract Wildlife to Your Home Garden
If you attract birds, mammals, and insects to visit and live in your garden, you’re helping to look after local wildlife and keep valuable green spaces thriving. You’re also encouraging natural predators, which can help control garden pests. There are many different ways you can attract wildlife into your garden.
You can encourage various beneficial insects if you create a diverse landscape and include various flowering plants and native and non-native trees and shrubs. Not only that, but you’d also be encouraging diverse pollinators.
One fundamental way to help pollinators is to grow plants that provide pollen and nectar. Eastern redbud flowers offer some of the earliest spring nectar for native bees and honey bees. Some of the best plants for pollinators include boneset, clustered mountain mint, coastal plain Joe Pye, stiff goldenrod, and swamp milkweed.
To attract butterflies, you also need to include larval host plants for caterpillars to eat. You can support butterflies, bees, moths, and other beneficial insects by delaying your garden cleanup until spring.
You can attract birds to your garden by incorporating plants that they like, using feeders in your garden, creating a proper habitat and shelter, and providing a water source for drinking and bathing. Layers, such as ground cover, low plants, shrubs, and trees, are also suitable for attracting birds. Supplement local food supplies for hummingbirds by planting flowering herbs, shrubs, vines, and trees, particularly those that flower from May to September.
Natural Landscaping and Wildlife Habitats
Traditionally, gardens in the US predominantly include lawns. And while a lawn has a key role to play in the residential landscape, many lawn alternatives are more wildlife-friendly.
The tide, however, is changing, and more and more home gardeners are adopting gardening and landscaping practices that harmonize with nature. Home gardens have a vital role to play as a lifeline for plants, birds, beneficial insects, and other animals that have lost their native habitat to development.
The perfect habitat for wildlife should provide for their basic needs. For landscaping, select woody plants such as trees, shrubs, and vines. Hedgerows provide a haven for wildlife, and a bonus is that they can beautifully screen your property.
Ideally, you should plant a variety of native plants that grow in all seasons. Christmas fern is a popular native evergreen. Perennial native plants include columbine, wild ginger, butterfly weed, and wild geranium. Native plants are an excellent choice because they help to preserve Pennsylvania’s biodiversity.
Certain wildlife species, such as deer, can cause unwelcome damage. Deer are very adaptive and selective feeders and can be discouraged by planting trees, shrubs, ground covers, and climbers that are rarely damaged by deer.
- Workshops
Bluebird Winter Season and Nest Box Workshop
Length 2 hoursLearn about the Eastern Bluebird's life cycle, habitat, and conservation, and discover how to build a nest box to support this species' recovery. Nest box kits will be available for purchase. - Webinars
$10.00
Know Your Natives: Winter Wanderings
When 12/04/2024Length 1 hourEvent Format Virtual | LiveDiscover the beauty of winter gardens while learning to balance nature's needs with practical tips for supporting wildlife and managing your garden's winter upkeep. - Articles
Neighborly Natural Landscaping in Residential Areas
Homeowners across America are changing the face of the typical American lawn. Learn strategies for the natural landscape homeowner who is looking for neighborly ways to garden for nature. - Workshops
Plant Identification Walk
Length 1 hourJoin Dr. Eric Burkhart for a Plant ID Walk exploring invasive plants, native gardening, and more. Perfect for homeowners, woodland owners, property managers. - Webinars
$10.00
Know Your Natives: Deer Tolerance
When 04/22/2024Length 1 hourEvent Format On-Demand | RecordedJoin the Penn State Master Gardeners webinar on deer-tolerant native plants, part of the Know Your Natives series, offering insights to create thriving gardens despite deer challenges. - Webinars
$10.00
Second Saturday Gardening Series: Get Your Garden Ready for Winter Habitat
When 01/15/2024Length 1.5Event Format On-Demand | RecordedDiscover easy steps to create a welcoming sanctuary for birds and beneficial insects in your garden throughout the winter season. - Articles
Echinacea Diseases
Informational table showing disease name, symptoms, pathogen/cause, and management of Echinacea diseases. - Articles
Spider Webs in the Garden
As the growing season begins to slow in autumn, be on the lookout for the silken webs of spiders. Spider webs are Mother Nature’s seasonal decorations. - Articles
Turfgrass Alternatives
Several turfgrass alternatives can be incorporated into the family yard while maintaining grassy areas for children’s play areas, pet-friendly areas, and walking areas. - Articles
Inviting Birds to Your Garden
Gardening isn't just about nurturing plants; it's about cultivating an entire ecosystem that can thrive in harmony. Invite birds to your garden to create such spaces. - Articles
Goldenrod: Not Just Another Pretty Face
General information about goldenrod and how the genus supports pollinators and beneficial insects. - Articles
Eastern Redbuds Support Early Pollinators
Not only beautiful, Eastern redbuds' flowers provide some of the earliest spring nectar for native bees and honey bees. - Articles
Plan a Backyard Wildlife Habitat
Basic steps you can take to make your garden a safe haven for beneficial wildlife. - Articles
Fall-Migrating Monarchs
The monarch butterfly is known for its long migration journey to Mexico. You can help support monarch populations by adding host plants and nectar sources to your garden. - Articles
Goldenrod (Solidago) Diseases
Informational table showing disease name, symptoms, pathogen/cause, and management of Goldenrod (Solidago) diseases. - Articles
Spring Plants that are Poisonous to Horses, Dogs and Barn Cats
Many ornamental plants can be harmful to horses, dogs and barn cats. - Articles
Yellow Garden Spider
Yellow garden spiders are seen in gardens, tall weeds, and sunny areas with bushes and other supporting structures on which they build their large orb webs. - Articles
Ornamentals and Deer: Realities and Landscape Plant Options
There is much frustration toward the prevalence of deer and the damage they cause. - Articles
Attracting Beneficial Insects
There are numerous insects that can be considered "beneficial." - Articles
Blue Winged Wasp, Scolia Dubia—is a Real Asset!
Have you seen this wasp flying over the landscape about 12" above the ground, circling in a mass of its fellow wasps? - Articles
Landscaping to Attract and Conserve Beneficial Insects
Beneficial insects are those that consume or parasitize insect pests. - Articles
First Investigation of Stream Health (FISH) Protocol
Do you enjoy outdoor activities? Become a community scientist. First Investigation of Stream Health (FISH) monitors changes to local streams and their habitats. - Videos
Rain Gardens
Length 7:37Learn about how to manage precipitation run-off and add to the aesthetic environment by building a suburban rain garden. - Articles
Fringetree, an Enchanting Native Tree for the Home Landscape
The spring blooms of the fringetree make it an excellent addition to any home landscape. - Webinars
Changing Landscaping Practices: Implications for Landowners and Local Officials
Learn the benefits and challenges of lawn conversion and native landscaping, and new programs to help with lawn conversion projects.