Do Rhododendrons Attract Birds?

Bird Attraction

• Rhododendrons are prized in part for their large clusters of colorful flowers. It is those spring flowers, the trumpet shape of which allows simple access to nectar, that attract hummingbirds. The sweet nectar also attracts insects, and the presence of insects attracts hungry birds.

Bird Species

• Other than hummingbirds, rhododendrons are most likely to attract birds that prefer insects to berries and seeds. Wood warblers and phoebes are two insect-eating species that are attracted to rhododendrons, according to an Organic Gardening website article.

Culture

• Keeping your rhododendrons healthy will allow them to bloom and attract birds. They grow best in continually cool, moist soil that is rich in organic matter. Mulching the shrubs' soil helps to keep it cool and can add nutrients to the soil if the mulch is organic. Locating rhododendrons in dappled shade, or a site where they receive morning sunlight followed by afternoon shade, also helps to keep their soil temperature low.

Insects and Other Pests

• Rhododendrons are quite hardy. Although they can suffer from a large number of insects and other pests, including aphids, scales, spider mites and thrips, the infestations don't usually threaten the plants' health. If you enjoy the insect- and pest-loving birds that flock to your rhododendrons, then you may not want to do anything about insect and pest infestations on the shrubs. Pesticides aren't usually effective on at least one rhododendron pest, the cutworm, according to University of California Integrated Pest Management Online.