Native Plants
![](../_images/smarty_plants.gif)
Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?
A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.
Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
![](../_images/mr_smarty_plants_logo_web_200w.jpg)
rate this answer
![](../_images/star_00.gif)
Monday - July 04, 2011
From: Belton, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Wildlife Gardens
Title: Native Bird Feeding in Belton, TX
Answered by: Brigid & Larry Larson
QUESTION:
We recently bought a bird feeder and a huge bucket of non-native bird seed (I'm not sure if the whole seed mix is non-native, but I believe most of the mix is). The birds go through the whole bird feeder in about 3 days. It seems like such a waste to be feeding the birds non-native seeds, so I try to put some native seeds from our garden in it. Is there anybody that sells native seeds that are not expensive by the bucket loads? The birds love the feeder and I was also wondering if there was a mix of native seed that will attract a lot of birds all year round?ANSWER:
Mr Smarty Plants sympathizes with you, our bird feeder gets cleaned out about as fast. It looks like you have a pretty common question, but unfortunately, it also looks like the answer is “no”.
Here is a similar question from Arizona and another one is from California. Closer to home, here is how the Native Plant Society of Texas handled it. So, it looks like, at least for the bird feeder, about all that is out there is using the commercially cheap products. You could probably sort out some better products that use more seeds that are Native or close to it [I’m thinking the sunflower seeds, which the birds love!] but that's about it.
What we all recommend though, is that you review lists of native plants for the ones your birds love – and use that as a guide to planting around your house! That way, you get the birds to hang around and the birds get a good meal of native seed. The bird-feeding society recommends native plants, and this Wildflower Center article on Wildlife Gardening has a number of references for good plant mixes. You should compare those to the recommended species list for plants appropriate to the Belton area for the best results. For a little less work in choosing, our suppliers sometimes sell mixes for bird feeding. For instance, Native American Seed sells a mix called Hummers & Singers.
As you noted, these are expensive by the bucket load, but then the packet sized for planting is pretty workable.
From the Image Gallery
More Wildlife Gardens Questions
Evergreen plant with berries for wildlife
September 16, 2007 - We live in central Texas and I am attempting to plant for wildlife. Could you suggest an evergreen, approximately 3-4 feet tall, that would have berries for the birds in the Fall and winter? The pla...
view the full question and answer
wildflowers for bees and hummers in central Texas
June 16, 2011 - I'm building a native habitat for different hummingbirds and bees at the Inks Lake Fish Hatchery, and I was wondering what kind of native plants in Texas attract these creatures but are also low main...
view the full question and answer
Native plants for birds and butterflies
June 27, 2008 - We have a home on Lake Sam Rayburn and in the process of putting in some plants and shrubs around our new home. I would like them to be native to the area and attract birds, butterflies and hummingbir...
view the full question and answer
Wildflowers for bees in Missouri
July 13, 2013 - Mr. Smarty Plants,
I just became a beekeeper and would like to plant wildflowers that are best for bees. The area to plant is partially shaded with clay soil. Do you have any suggestions?
view the full question and answer
Perennial native plant to attract butterflies/hummingbirds
January 24, 2013 - Need 3-6 foot perennial native plant to attract butterflies/hummingbirds in Paris Texas...full sun, with sprinkler system
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |