Fruit Bearing Plants for Autumn Birdlife

Providing Fruit Sources for Autumn Migration 

Black Cherry are a treat for birds in June and July.

The hot and humid days of Midsummer are still upon. Insect and other prey items are nearing peak populations while many of our breeding species are finished nesting or are on their second or third broods. With Autumn Migration just a few weeks away, and winter approaching, now is a good time to start thinking about autumn and winter food sources for your garden. In the Carolinas, fruit bearing trees, shrubs and vines are an important source of protein for long distance migrants, while many resident and winter species switch to fruits or seeds as insect populations decline. With our diversity of native and cultivated flora, there are fruits and berries available all year long. In this article, I will highlight some of the best bird-attracting fruits for autumn and winter. Most of these plants will bear fruits between September and February, attracting birds and other wildlife, as well as adding color to the garden or hedge. 

Fruits and Birds 

Cedar Waxwings are mostly frugivorous birds

Fruits are among the most popular secondary food sources for garden and woodland birds and many species that are insectivorous during the summer months will supplement their diets with fruits during the cool season. In addition to providing an alternative food source, fruits and berries can provide hydration for birds and mammals.  The seeds of some berries are left behind in waste or through regurgitation to germinate into new plants. The most valuable berry sources for birds are species that produce fruits with high protein. The protein source helps migratory species replenish their fat and energy, and is important for wintering species to stay warm during cold nights. Fruits with less protein are often not eaten until later in the season, while other species are ignored by birds altogether. In our region the most popular fruit bearing plants include trees such as dogwood, magnolia, and hackberry, shrubs like viburnum, holly, or spicebush, and vines such as Virginia Creeper, Fox Grape, and yes Poison Ivy. Fruits and berries attract a wide range of songbirds but are most attractive to thrushes, mockingbirds, catbirds, certain woodpeckers, Carolina Wrens, waxwings, starlings, and vireos.

Highlighted Species  

Today I will go over a handful fruit bearing trees, shrubs and vines that are particularly popular with garden birds as well as some you should avoid. Most of the plants in this section have fruits that ripen from September to January and cater to autumn migrants and winter residents. There are also fruits that attract birds during the summer although at this point most of these plants are finished. While it may be a bit late to plant in time for this season, late autumn and winter are generally good times to install new plantings in the garden. 

Featured Plants  

1. Pokeweed 
2. Grape
3. Virginia Creeper
4. Beautyberry Bush
5. Viburnums 
6. Spicebush
7. Hollies 
8. Carolina Cherry Laurel 
9. Magnolia 
10. Hackberry 

Plants to Avoid 

1. Privet 
2. European Buckthorn
3. Chinese Tallow Tree/Popcorn Tree
4. Nandina or Sacred Bamboo 
5. Multiflora Rose 

Pokeweed or Pokeberry  

Phytolacca americana 

Common Pokeweed in our garden, Curtis Downey

Pokeweed or Pokeberry is a perennial herbaceous or short-lived shrub that is common across North America as an early successional species. This plant grows up to 3m (10ft) tall and often grows in disturbed areas such as roadsides, construction sites, railway corridors and is often regarded as a weed in home gardens. The plant flowers between late spring and midsummer and bears fruits that ripen in late August or September. Pokeweed is considered toxic so keep plantings away from areas where children or dogs play, or if you have free-range livestock. Pokeberry is the easiest fruit-bearing plant to get for your garden as it is often already present and is often spread by the birds that eat it. Plant or allow pokeberries to grow along hedges, fencerows or within a bird habitat garden. You can also transplant one or two of these plants in your garden as it has attractive leaves and flowers, but be ready to pull up any volunteer seedlings. Pokeberry dies down completely in the winter and the hollow stalks of last year's growth shelter for insects which provide food Downy Woodpeckers, or nuthatches, and can make a makeshift perch. Cut stalks to the ground in winter as new begins from the roots. 

Attracts mockingbirds, catbirds, thrushes, and cardinals. 

Muscatine and Summer Grape 

Vitus aestivalis and Vitus rotundifloia

Grapevine from our garden. Curtis Downey.

The Carolinas have multiple species of grapes native to our area while some cultivars of cultivated grapes may also be planted in gardens and vineyards. The two most common species of grape in the Cape Fear Region are Muscatine or Fox Grape, and Summer Grape. Both grapes are hard-skinned varieties that can grow into thickets, climb trees, or become a groundcover on slopes. Muscatine Grape is commonly sold in garden centers although chances are, there are already vines in a woodland or hedge nearby. Wild grapes are mostly seen in disturbed areas such as roadsides, woodland clearings, along rivers, and fencerows, while many older homes have grape arbors. Both species flower in early summer and produce fruits from August  to September. Besides being a good snack for us, Wild Grapes attract a wide array of birds and animals, and provide nest sites for species such as towhees, Field Sparrows, catbirds, and Carolina Wrens. Plant Fox or Summer Grapes on hardened trellises or arbors, fences, or allow them to grow in a woodland border. You can train them to grow up walls although be mindful that these vines grow fast and the tendrils may damage masonry or wood. If you want more fruits, cut back vines in winter or early spring, although it is a good idea to allow some vines to grow naturally if you have a large enough space in your garden. 

Attracts many species of birds including orioles, thrashers, thrushes, Carolina Wrens, cardinals, and starlings, as well as birds that eat insects.

Virginia Creeper

Parthenocissus quinquefolia

Virginia Creeper Fruits Wikimedia Foundation 

Virginia Creeper is a ubiquitous vine in our area that is related to grape and is sometimes mistaken for Poison Ivy. This vine grows in the same types of habitat as the grapes and has benefited from human disturbance and is the native version of the English Ivy. This plant is commonly found in gardens and woodlands and can take over if left unchecked. There is no need to buy Virginia Creeper or its relative Peppervine as it probably already in your garden and like Pokeweed, it will be brought in by birds sooner or later. Encourage or transplant vines along hedgerows, arbors/trellises, or use it as a groundcover for slopes and riverbanks. Virginia Creeper can be trained up walls and provides a splendid palate of reds, oranges, yellows, and even purple when its leaves turn in late autumn. It is not as damaging as Grapevine, Trumpet Creeper, or English Ivy but the tendrils could damage masonry and pruning is needed to keep it in check. This vine fruits in mid-autumn and are usually ripe by November. Thick clumps of creeper can serve as nest habitat and shelter, especially if it grows up trees, arbors, or walls. Virginia Creeper may cause minor skin rashes in some people but is told from poison ivy by its five-leaf arrangement. 

Attracts thrushes, wrens, vireos, Baltimore Orioles, and small woodland birds such as chickadees or Downy Woodpeckers. Also hosts insects for birds to eat

Beautyberry  

Callicarpa americana 

American Beautyberry fruits  Wikimedia Foundation

The Beautyberry or Beautybush is a fairly common shrub of open woodlands, meadows, and disturbed habitats that is prized in landscapes for its gorgeous purple fruits. The plant is also a popular food source for songbirds and small mammals and is also small enough to fit in most gardens. The shrub rarely exceeds 2m or 6ft in height and is a nice addition to any decidous or evergreen shrub planting. This plant does best in partial sun but can tolerate shade as well. You will get more fruits if the shrub is located in a sunnier area. Fruits are produced from late summer to autumn and ripen in December. Its leaves turn orange-yellow in the autumn while its purple or magenta  fruit clusters persist until the birds eat them all. Beautyberries are a second choice for many birds and will be visited once more protein rich fruits like magnolias, viburnums, or crabapple/hawthorns are finished. 

Attracts Hermit Thrushes, mockingbirds, thrashers, cardinals, bluebirds, and Yellow Rumped Warblers as well as a myriad of other birds.   

Viburnum Species 

Viburnum sp.

Arrowwood Wikimedia Foundation

Viburnums are a large family of shrubs in the family Adoxaceae and has more than 150 species. Several Viburnums are native to the Carolinas and are commonly found in woodlands, swamps, or heathlands. Most nonnative species are also good for gardens although be mindful that some varieties may naturalize or become invasive, so look up the botanical name of a plant in the store if your are not sure. While sun exposure, soil type, and maximum height and spread varies by species, most Viburnums will fit in any garden or hedgerow and are about the size of any hydrangea, boxwood or azalea. Viburnums flower during the late spring or early summer and fruit from mid-autumn through winter. Most species lose their leaves in autumn and turn yellow, orange or red in October or November. Mapleleaf Viburnum Viburnum acerifolium, Nannyberry Viburnum lentago, and Arrowwood (Dentata or Mollotinus) are native examples, while the Japanese Snowball Viburnum plicatum is a common imported species. Depending on the species' size and density these shrubs may provide nest habitat, and cover for birds as well.

Attracts thrushes, vireos, warblers, thrashers, cardinals, mockingbirds, and catbirds 

Spicebush 

Lindera benzoin

Spicebush fruits, Wikimedia Foundation

Common Spicebush is a widespread species of shrub in North America and is one of several Lindera shrubs in our area. This plant is deciduous and typically grows between 2-4m (6-13ft) tall and may form colonies with tubers. It is naturally found in peatlands, wooded swamps, and woodlands and is does quite well near limestone. The shrub produces yellow-green flowers in the spring just before it leafs out, producing a sweet fragrance. Fruits generally ripen in mid-autumn and are red in coloration. Like blueberries and some other fruits, you need a male and female shrub to produce fruits. Plant spicebush as a hedgerow, buffer, or in a woodland garden as it can take over. It tolerates both shade and sun but like the Beautyberry, it fruits more prolifically in the summer. Thickets form dense cover for ground nesting birds and local rabbit populations and the shrub is a host plant for the Spicebush Swallowtail Butterfly. 

Attracts Veery, Wood, and Hermit Thrushes, mockingbirds, catbirds, starlings, most vireo species and much more. Also a good plant for butterfly and pollinator gardens as it is a host plant and early spring nectar source for bees and butterflies.  

Hollies 

Ilex sp.

American Holly Wikimedia Foundation 

Hollies are a large group of plants in the Ilex genus and there are several native species in our area. In the case of gardens and landscapes, virtually any of the commonly sold holly species will work for attracting birds. Most hollies are small to mid-sized trees and need a lot of space. Even the evergreen English and Japanese Hollies used as foundation shrubs are really small trees and require careful pruning to keep them in check. Some of our native hollies include the American Holly Ilex opaca, Winterberry I. verticillata, Inkberry I. glabra, and Yaupon Holly I. vomitoria. In the garden, use tree-sized species such as American Holly, English Holly or Japanese Hollies as specimens or hedges, while Yaupon and Dwarf Yaupon make better foundation shrubs with the latter rarely getting taller than 1m or 3ft. Most species are evergreen and make good nest trees, although Winterberry is a  deciduous shrub. The spiky leaves of some hollies add protection from cats and mammalian predators and are particularly popular with mockingbirds, thrashers, and cardinals, while Winterberries, Inkberries, and Yaupons are not spiky, thus better in small gardens. All species of holly produce red or black fruits in autumn and are among the last berries to ripen in the winter. Like the Spicebush, you need male and female shrubs of each species to produce fruits. Fruits are eaten by birds between January and March after nearly all other fruits have been depleted. In general, hollies require very little maintenance other than pruning and mix well with Gardenias, Camellias, Azaleas, Red Cedars, and Wax Myrtles or any large canopy tree. 

Attracts Cedar Waxwings, American Robins, Common Starlings, mockingbirds, Hermit Thrushes, and cardinals. Evergreen species are good nest and cover habitat for birds. 

Carolina Cherry Laurel 

Prunus caroliniana

Carolina Cherry Laurel in flower Wikimedia Foundation

The Carolina Cherry Laurel or Laurelcherry is a small tree or large shrub that is common in the Coastal Plain of the Carolinas and is found in virtually any woodland, shrubby area, or disturbed habitat. It is common in gardens both as a planting and a prolific volunteer. Cherry Laurels can grow as tall as 11m or 35ft but are easily trained as shrubs with regular pruning. The shrubs/trees are evergreen and form dense crowns. Cherry Laurels bloom in the late winter, often February or March and produce fruits that do not ripen until that winter. Fruits are often still present while the tree is flowering. The shrub produces showy white flowers that can attract butterflies, bees, and even early waves of migratory birds. Plant Cherry Laurels as a hedge or as part of a woodland planting or allow them to naturalize in a back area of the garden. While it can be weedy, it is easy to pull out unwanted seedlings. This shrub is almost an ideal bird garden tree as it is small enough for most gardens, has fruits that are popular with birds, and is a good nesting tree. 

Attracts American Robins, Hermit Thrushes, Cedar Waxwings, starlings, and numerous other birds including those that use it for nesting.

Southern and Sweetbay Magnolia 

Magnolia grandiflora and Magnolia virginiana

Sweet Bay Magnolia, Wikimedia Foundation

Magnolias are a popular tree in gardens across the Southeast join Live Oaks, Cabbage Palmettos, Longleaf Pines, and Crepe Myrtles as the most commonly planted tree in gardens across the Wilmington area. Southern Magnolia is a massive evergreen tree that can grow up to 30m (~100ft) and spread out nearly as wide if planted in an open area. This tree grows very densely and produces large saucer shaped flowers from late May to August and is known for its sweet but sickening fragrance. Sweet Bay is less common as a garden specimen but is gaining popularity. This shrub is smaller and easier to manage and has smaller flowers and maxes out at 10m or 30ft. Both shrubs produce red seeds (which look like berries) from September to October that are among the most popular fruits for autumn migrants. In the summer the flowers attract bees, moths, orioles, and hummingbirds although both species are poor nest trees. Southern Magnolia requires a large space and might take up an entire back garden. Additionally very few plants can grow under magnolias due to its dense shades, and abundant leaf litter. This tree is best used in woodland or windbreak habitats and are quite resilient in hurricanes or windstorms. Sweet Bay still needs a lot of space but can grow nicely in a hedge or back garden. There are also deciduous magnolias native to our area which produce similar fruits.  

Attracts vireos, thrushes, waxwings, flickers, mockingbirds, catbirds, and much more. Neither magnolia are good nest trees because of its flexible branches vertical growth pattern.    

Hackberry 

Celtis occidentalis 

Hackberry Tree, Wikimedia Foundation

Our final highlight is another important protein source for autumn migration. Hackberries are large deciduous trees that occur across Eastern North America and averages around 15 meters or 50ft tall. This shrub has a splendid autumn appearance with orange to purple leaves in October or November. It occurs in deciduous and mixed forests, along rivers, and in swamps and is popular as a street or park tree. While Hackberries may be too large for some gardens, it makes a good specimen or as part of a copse or windbreak with maples, sweetgums, beeches, oaks, and other hardwoods, because of its autumn coloration. The fruits ripen in September and attract a wide range of birds as well as squirrels, while the flowers are great for bees and wasps. In addition to Common Hackberry, there is the Sugarberry Celtis laevigata which is told by its narrower leaves and its preference for damp soil including swamp or floodplain forests. Either species is good for attracting birds or adding color to a woodland area or planting. Hackberry leaf litter may inhibit the growth of other plants.

Attracts thrushes, vireos, mockingbirds, cardinals and chickadees. In general hackberries are good woodland trees for their role as a host plant, cover, and pollinator benefits 

Plants You Should Avoid 

Privets 

Ligustrum sp.

Variegated cultivar of Chinese Privet, Wikimedia Foundation

Privets are a family of evergreen or semievergreen shrubs that are native to Eurasia and are popular as hedges, foundation shrubs, and for wildlife shelter areas. There are around 50 species of Privets with four species being naturalized in the Carolinas. Chinese, Japanese/Glossy, European, and Olive-Leaved Privet are considered weedy or invasive species that can take over the understory of woodlands and outcompete native shrubs. In the garden persistent fruits and runners can overtake properties while the fruits are spread into forests and greenways by birds and deer. Privets can grow as tall as 12m and poorly maintained foundation plantings can surpass the roofline in a few seasons, requiring professional arborists to remove or prune them. While all four privets and their cultivars are wonderful fruits for garden birds and are equivalent to hollies, avoid planting them and remove any privet that are growing in a garden (or cut off the fruits after flowering). Carolina Cherry Laurel, American Olive, and Japanese Camellias are better alternatives for evergreen hedges or shrub borders. 

Common Buckthorn 

Rhamnus cathartica

Common Buckthorn, Wikimedia Foundation

Buckthorn is a deciduous shrub that was once popular in gardens and hedges and was imported from Europe. This shrub can take over like privet and its fruits are spread by birds and mammals. Additionally, buckthorns produce chemicals in their leaves that inhibit other plants from growing. The fruits of buckthorn also have a very low nutrition value and are mildly poisonous to humans and other animals. As with privet, remove any buckthorns that are already present and consider native or less-aggressive alternatives. There are native buckthorn species in North America such as Carolina Buckthorn and Alder-Leaf Buckthorn that can be substituted as well. 

Chinese Tallow Tree "Popcorn Tree"

Triandica sebifera 

Tallow Tree leaves, Wikimedia Foundation

Tallow Trees or Popcorn Trees is an aspen-like tree that is native to Asia and was planted for its distinctive white fruits (like popcorn) and was used for candle making. The tree is ubiquitous in the Carolinas and is a noxious weed and invasive plant in our area. The fruits, leaves, and sap have toxic qualities and like the buckthorn, infestations can inhibit native vegetation. Birds such as waxwings, thrushes, warblers, and flickers consume the fruits and spread them across woodlands, gardens, and marshes. The tree does  have a nice autumn color and is reddish orange like some of our native hackberries and maples. Its leaves are round with a spade-like tip. Tallow Trees should be removed and replaced with native alternatives. Hackberry, dogwoods, maples, and tulip poplar have similar foliage colors in the autumn.  

Nandina "Sacred Bamboo"

Nandina domestica 

Nandina Fruits. Credit: Emőke Dénes Wikimedia Foundation

Nandina is a commonly planted shrub that resembles bamboo and is known for its reddish leaves, berries, and compact size. It is a good plant for foundation borders, and gardens and is generally easy to manage. However its main problem is its fruits. Nandina has fruits that are highly toxic to people and wildlife and there are some reports of birds dying after consuming its fruits. Avoid purchasing this plant and consider native alternatives such as Beautyberry or Spicebush. If there are already plants in the garden or you are going for a Japanese or Chinese themed garden, it is important to cut the fruits after the shrub flowers. Aside from its fruits, Nandina is easily managed and does provide cover.  

Multiflora Rose 

Rosa multiflora 

Multiflora Rose. Source Wikimedia Foundation

Multiflora Rose is a highly aggressive climbing rose that was introduced from Asia and is now prolific in North America. This rose is an invasive plant and noxious weed in our area and can overtake woodland borders, meadows, and almost any sunny habitat. While thickets offer great bird habitat and its fruits are popular with mockingbirds, thrushes, and even bobwhites, it has low wildlife value and shades out or chokes shrubs and trees. This rose has large white flowers that are present from late April to June and bright red hips. Remove any Multiflora Rose from the garden and substitute plantings with other native or cultivated roses. Carolina Rose, Cherokee Rose, and Swamp Rose are native species that can be found in this article.