Trees, Shrubs, and Bush's that Attract Brids

Scientific Name

Common Name(s) 

Evergreen/ Deciduous

Comments

Large shrubs (6 - 10 ft when mature)

Amelanchier alnifolia Serviceberry D Upright to spreading branches, small rounded leaves; clusters of small white flowers; blue-black fruit attractive to wildlife; orange to red fall color.
Cornus sericea Red-osier Dogwood D Red stems in winter; flat, white flower clusters followed by white to blue fruits attractive to birds; yellow to red fall color; streamside understory plant, shade tolerant.
Prunus americana American Plum, Wild Plum D Thicket-forming; white flowers before leaves, fruit good for preserves; attracts wildlife; cold and drought tolerant; yellow to red fall color; found along canyons and slope bottoms.
Prunus pensylvanica Pin Cherry D Large shrub to small tree; thicket-forming; shiny green leaves; red edible fruit; shade tolerant, white flowers, red fall color.
Prunus virginiana melanocarpa Western Chokecherry D Irregular, branching shrub with shiny dark green leaves and elongated flower clusters; suckers to form thickets; dark purple fruit excellent for preserves; reddish-orange to yellow fall color.
Rhamnus smithii Smith buckthorn D Upright habit with dark green shiny leaves; black fruit in late summer on female plants; yellow fall color; good screen plant
Rhus glabra Smooth Sumac D Open, rounded thicket-forming shrub; bright green leaves; pyramidal clusters of yellow flowers produce fuzzy dark red fruits in fall that persist into winter; outstanding yellow-orange-red fall color.
Shepherdia argentea Silver Buffaloberry D Medium shrub to small tree; thicket-forming; silver, rounded leaves; golden to red, edible bitter fruits on females attract wildlife.
Sorbus scopulina Native Mountain Ash, Greene's Mountain Ash D Large shrub to small tree with divided leaves, white flower clusters followed by orange fruit attractive to wildlife; orange to red fall color; found in moist sites on slopes in rocky canyons.

Medium shrubs (4 - 6 ft when mature)

Amorpha fruticosa False Indigo, Leadplant D Open, wide-spreading shrub; feathery green foliage; spikes of deep blue flowers in summer; yellow fall color; deer resistant.
Artemisia tridentata Big Sagebrush E Silver colored evergreen with peeling grayish bark; leaves densely hairy and aromatic; wildlife browse plant; does not tolerate high moisture.
Cowania mexicana Cliffrose E Upright oval shrub; rigid, gnarled branches; small, lobed olive-green leaves; fragrant creamy-colored flowers followed by feather-tailed seeds.
Fallugia paradoxa Apache plume D - E Open, rounded shrub; small grayish-green leaves; whitish shreddy bark; white, rose-like flowers; fuzzy pinkish seed heads appear all summer; native to San Luis and Arkansas Valleys.
Fallugia paradoxa Three-leaf Sumac, Skunkbrush D Arching branches with glossy green three-parted leaves, small yellow flowers before leaves; reddish hairy edible fruits; orange to red fall color.
Ribes aureum Golden Currant D Arching growth habit; yellow clove-scented flowers in late spring; yellow to black fruit attracts birds; well-drained sites; orange to red fall color.
Ribes inerme Whitestem Currant D Rounded growth habit; few if any spines; whitish stems becoming reddish-brown and flaky; small pink flowers followed by edible, tart, wine-red fruit.
Ribes lacustre Bristly Currant, Swamp Currant D Low-growing shrub with spines; lobed leaves; greenish-purple flowers in drooping clusters followed by bristly purple fruit; native along streams; browse plant for livestock and game.
Rubus deliciosus Boulder Raspberry D Arching growth habit with peeling, cinnamon-colored bark; shade tolerant; spineless; large, white rose-like flowers in spring followed by sparse raspberry-like fruits.

Small shrubs (less than 4 ft when mature)

Arctostaphylos patula  Manzanita, Bearberry E Spreading growth habit with dense foliage; mahogany-red stems; oval, bright green erect leaves; pink flowers in spring followed by dark brown small apple-like fruits; does best on well drained soils.
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi Kinnikinnik E Mat-forming evergreen with small oval leaves; pink urn-shaped flowers followed by red fruits; requires well-drained gravelly soils; attracts wildlife; needs light shade.
Atriplex canescens Furwing Saltbush D - E Light green to gray small leaves; interesting four-winged fruits on female plants; tolerant of poor or salty soils; slow-growing.
Ceanothus fendleri Fendler Ceanothus, Mountain-lilac D Spiny, low shrub with small white flower clusters in late spring; wildlife browse plant; grows on coarse soils; less available.
Ceratoides lanata Winterfat D - E Dense erect shrub covered with white woolly fruits; grayish-green leaves persist in winter; excellent forage for wildlife.
Juniperus communis montana Common Juniper E low-growing evergreen; needle-like leaves with whitish stripes; bluish-gray berry-like fruits; shade tolerant; needs well-drained soil.
Mahonia repens Creeping Oregon Grape-holly E Low-growing thicket-forming ground cover; blue-green leaves turn purplish in winter; yellow flowers followed by edible, blue grape-like fruit; shade tolerant; may winter burn in windy, exposed sites.
Philadelphus microphyllus Littleleaf Mock-orange D Rounded, compact slow-growing shrub with small gray-green leaves; fragrant white star-shaped flowers.
Physocarpus monogynus Mountain Ninebark D Interesting shreddy bark on older branches; white to rose-colored flowers in small heads; good wildlife cover; leaves resemble those of currant; yellow to maroon fall color; less available.
Prunus besseyi Western Sand Cherry D Upright, rounded open shrub with grayish-green leaves; numerous white, single, fragrant flowers followed by purplish-black fruits that attract birds; red fall color. 'Pawnee Buttes' is a low, spreading groundcover.
Purshia tridentata Antelope Bitterbrush, Antelope-brush D Spreading shrub with small, oval gray leaves and pale yellow flowers in early summer; requires dry, coarse soils; important browse plant for wildlife.
Ribes cereum Wax currant D Rounded growth form; lobed, leathery leaves; lacks spines; pink tubular flowers in spring; edible orange-red berries in summer attract birds.
Rosa woodsii Woods Rose, Wild Rose D Spiny, dark reddish-brown stems; thicket-forming; dark green compound leaf; single, large pink flowers in early summer; reddish-orange fruits; browse plant for wildlife.
Shepherdia canadensis Russet Buffaloberry D Prostrate to upright shrub; brown thornless branches; dark green, oval leaves with russet colored scales beneath; inconspicuous flowers followed by red to orange bitter fruit on females; attractive to wildlife; shade tolerant.
Symphoricarpos albus Snowberry D Arching growth habit; thicket-forming; rounded, blue-green leaves; shade tolerant; pink bell-shaped flowers in summer; large white berries in fall persist into winter; attracts birds and small mammals.

 
Sources:
Colorado State University Extension, www.ext.colostate.edu
University of Wisconson Extension, http://www.uwex.edu
University of Florida Extension, http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/
University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources, http://ucanr.org/