The birds and the bees

The Tui is an iconic native bird to New Zealand with it's bright white threat plumage and beautiful birdsong

BY DEBBIE OLDFIELD, ALTER-NATIVES

Not what you're thinking! - But this is about attracting birds and bees into your garden by supplying food plants for them.

How about planting some bottle brushes? They, not only look good but, flower for a long time and the Tuis, Silvereyes and bees love them. They come in all sizes from quite small at only 1.5m at maturity up to a great big 8m tall weeping variety.

Tree lucerne is another good option as it has the nectar for the Tuis and bees, and the wood Pigeons love eating the flowers and the foliage. It flowers for a long time, starting in early spring when nectar is in short supply.

Plants for the Bees

Cuphea is a great shrub for the bees. It flowers all year round and I know the plants here in the nursery seem to have a constant stream of bees to them through out the day. Bees love blue, purple, yellow and white flowers, they also need to be single flowers rather than fancy ruffled double flowers so the bees can land on them, and have easy access to the pollen and nectar.

Some other smaller growing plants good for feeding bees are Hebes, Lambs Ears, Lavenders, Rata, Borage, Rosemary, Thyme and Catmint.

Bigger growing options for the bees are apple, pear and plum. Citrus (Lemon, Grapefruit and Orange Blossom are great). Broom, Tea Tree and Kanuka. Flowering Cherry, Eucalyptus, Cabbage Tree, Swamp Flax, Lemonwood, Pohutukawa, Tulip Tree, Lacebark, Bay Tree and Wisteria.

Now onto the birds

There are lots of native trees (and exotics) that are good for feeding the Pigeons, Tuis, and Silvereyes.

Large trees to feed Wood Pigeon

Taraire, Karaka, Nikau, Puriri, Kohekohe, Miro, Kahikatea, Titoki, Lacebark, Kowhai, Rewarewa, Tawapou, Wineberry, Totara, Ngaio, Guava, and Pigeon Wood.

Shrubs/small trees to feed Wood Pigeons

Tawapou, Mahoe, Karamu, Lancewood, Five Finger, Cabbage Tree, Red Mapou, Horopito, Coprosmas and Kawakawa.

Large trees to feed Tuis

Kowhai, Kahikatea, Rewarewa, Pohutukawa, Puriri, Wineberry, Rimu, Karo, Totara, Ngaio, and Bottlebrush.

Shrubs/small trees to feed Tuis

Flax, Five Finger, Putaputaweta, Puka, Lancewood, Red Mapou, Cabbage Tree, Coprosmas, Tree Lucerne, Grevillias, Flowering Cherries (not the invasive Taiwan Cherry), Feijoas, Bottlebrush, and Camellias.