Page 12 - LandscapeSAIssue111

WATER WISE

Creating a bird-friendly

Water Wise garden

Birds play an important role in one’s garden as many Tip 2: Reduce your lawn size
plants rely on birds for effective pollination between Reduce the size of the lawn with one-drop Water Wise
neighbouring plants as well as for seed dispersal. trees and shrubs and plant indigenous grasses such as
You can easily triple the number and diversity of birds thatching reed grass (Chondrapetalum tectorum) or red
visiting your garden by planting one-drop Water Wise grass (Themeda triandra) underneath. These grasses
plants. These plants will provide a buffet throughout the also provide seeds on which seed-eating birds such as
year for seed, fruit and nectar-feeding birds. Many one- weavers, sparrows, wydahs and doves feed on.
drop Water Wise plants also make perfect roosting and
nesting sites for birds. Tip 3: Plant a variety of trees, shrubs and perennials
The more variety you have on the menu, the greater
What are Water Wise plants? the diversity of birds will be to your garden. Different
• They originate from regions with low rainfall and are heights and profiles will allow different birds to utilise
therefore adapted to survive and thrive with very these different niches in the garden.
little watering.
• Once established, they require very little watering, Tip 4: Avoid pesticides
except during very hot dry spells. Keep your garden as natural as possible and avoid using
• They only require water every 6-8 weeks during the pesticides or herbicides which may have a harmful
dry winter months. effect on birds.
• All succulent plants are no-drop or one-drop plants.
They need no extra water and can survive on local Tip 5: Allow leaf litter to accumulate
rainfall only. Accumulated leaf litter also provides ideal foraging for
insect and worm-eating birds,
Five tips to help you create a Water Wise bird-friendly garden: especially species like thrushes
and robin-chats who like to turn
Tip 1: Water features and bird baths over leaves and garden debris in
Birds like to drink and bathe - a small raised bird bath search of their prey.
with shallow water is ideal and can be replaced with
fresh clean water daily.

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FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON WATER WISE, PLEASE CONTACT US ON: 0860 10 10 60