Does Winter Jasmine Draw Birds?

Description

• The buttery yellow flowers of winter jasmine begin gracing gardens in January and persist into spring, offering color during the cold months. Winter jasmine isn't fragrant like other jasmine species. Its ability to provide cover and attract nutritious food sources make winter jasmine an important part of a bird garden. A trellis will support winter jasmine, yet the arching shape works well simply flowing over a fence, garden mound or embankment. Its sprawling shape offers a source of shelter for birds. Attracting birds to your garden not only allows you to enjoy the show of their flight, mating and antics, they also benefit your plants.

Protein

• For the bird-friendly garden, winter jasmine attracts food sources that would be less plentiful without its winter and early spring blooms. The yellow flowers attract bees, insects, flies and moths. Moths in particular are a valuable food for wild birds. Although many birds enjoy birdseed and suet feeders -- suet is animal fat that offers a source of energy for birds -- they also need animal protein. Insects attracted to jasmine's nectar supplement the hummingbird's diet during the winter for those who are local year-round, or help them gain weight before migrating. In early spring, insects drawn to the flowers become meals for hummingbird nestlings who need a high-protein diet to grow.

Nectar

• The plant's reddish buds open to reveal yellow petals. Red and yellow are colors that attract hummingbirds. Their long beaks are suited for drinking nectar from tubular flowers. Hummingbirds feed from and pollinate winter jasmine. They find their nectar by sight, not smell, so the plants they pollinate generally have no fragrance. Hummingbirds have extremely fast metabolisms and need to drink nectar often, so your blooming winter jasmine can help draw them to your garden.

Considerations

• Avoid using pesticides and insecticides in the garden. These contaminate the food sources and water that birds depend on, and can kill birds. Untreated plants will host the insects and moths birds need for food and for feeding their young. In a natural garden, the balance of beneficial insects and birds helps to keep insect pests in check. Provide fresh water for birds year-round to help attract them to your garden. A birdbath heater will help if you live in an area that freezes in the winter.