Create Safe Bird Habitats--Plant Climbing Roses

David Austin English Climbing Rose
'A Shropshire Lad'

I may be old fashioned, but to me there is nothing that compares to a rose.  The fragrance and beauty of older heirlooms, wild roses and new varieties just cannot be beat.   Choose climbing roses, and you automatically create an outstanding habitat for birds that will have long-reaching benefits for all of us.

"Wow, did you see that?  Your climbing rose bush just saved a whole family of Northern Cardinals!"  My friend and I were enjoying a fragrant walk around my garden, when suddenly a hawk swooped within inches of the tail feathers of a bright red Cardinal.  That bird was flying hard and fast as it approached the thorny tangles.  It had a beak full of food obviously meant for his babies. 

I had just been telling my friend about the active Cardinal's nest in my climbing rose, when all this drama unfolded right in front of our eyes.    A smaller bird like a Cardinal or Catbird can easily maneuver between the thorny branches without injury.  But a predator like a hawk or crow would definitely suffer if it attempted to penetrate a dense rose bush.

Aside from keeping birds safe from both sky-born and earthbound predators, there are more benefits in planting climbing rose bushes:

·         fragrance

·         beauty

·         appeal to butterflies and beneficial insects

·         provide shelter for birds from inclement weather

·         afford safe nesting opportunities for songbirds

·         furnish secure places for birds to survey their territory for predators

·         harbor additional food sources for birds in the way of destructive insects and caterpillars

·         some climbing rose varieties develop nutritious rose hips to sustain overwintering birds

Enjoy the beauty and fragrance of climbing roses, and give your lovely songbirds safe places to nest and shelter at the same time.  Room service for your birds is included at no extra charge in the way of bugs and caterpillars.  Plus, they'll enjoy a free all-day garden insect buffet!  Discover all the benefits these roses have to offer you and your backyard avian visitors.
Grandma Pearl

Create Safe Bird Habitats with Climbing Roses

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Male American Robin hunting for lunch
by Grandma Pearl

Spring is a time when the birds are coming 'home' for the summer.  We love their colorful, song-filled visits.  Nothing says summer like the dawn chorus, and the 'chip, chip, cheerio' of the American Robin.  But there are hidden dangers to birds.  For instance, do you have indoor plants in front of your windows?  Most of us do, however, this can pose a grave and often fatal danger to your feathered friends.  Read what you can do to prevent unintentionally causing harm to our songbird visitors and their nestlings in 5 Tips to a Bird Safe Yard.
Grandma Pearl

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