Free Planting Guide - Summer Songbird 18-Plant Collection (I)
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This perennial collection is perfect for either full sun or partly shady spaces that get at least three to six hours of sun per day.
This 18-plant collection grows to fill a space up to about 10x10 feet. Finches, Cardinals, Grosbeaks, Chickadees, Tanagers, and many other birds all enjoy the seeds from flowers in this collection. These plants also support butterflies, and other important pollinators and wildlife.
Bloom times vary for each plant (as noted below), with the collection as a whole serving wildlife for three seasons each year.
When planted in the ground, these plants will spread wider and grow taller, while also helping underground soil systems.
Meet Your Plants
Purple Coneflower
Echinacea purpurea
Grows to: 2-5 Ft
Spread: 1.5-2 Ft
Blooms: April-September
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Light Requirements: Full Sun, Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Medium, Dry
Soil Description: Loam, Clay, Sand, Rich Organic Material
Attracts: Butterflies, Caterpillars, Native Bees, Bumblebees, Beneficial Insects
![](http://gardenforwildlife.com/cdn/shop/files/Purple_Coneflower_Echinacea_purpurea-600x600.jpg?v=1708725818)
Meet Your Plants
Oxeye Sunflower
Heliopsis helianthoides
Grows to: 3-6 Ft
Spread: 2-4 Ft
Blooms: June-September
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Light Requirements: Full Sun, Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Medium, Moist
Soil Description: Clay, Sand, Rocky
Attracts: Butterflies, Caterpillars, Native Bees, Pollen Specialist Bees, Bumblebees, Birds, Hummingbirds, Beneficial Insects
![](http://gardenforwildlife.com/cdn/shop/files/Oxeye_Sunflower_Heliopsis_helianthoides-600x600.jpg?v=1708725728)
Meet Your Plants
Smooth Blue Aster
Symphyotrichum laeve (Aster laevis)
Grows to: 1-3 Ft
Spread: 1-2 Ft
Blooms: August-October
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Light Requirements: Full Sun, Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry, Medium, Moist, Well-Drained
Soil Description: Loam, Clay, Sand
Attracts: Butterflies, Caterpillars, Native Bees, Pollen Specialist Bees, Birds
![](http://gardenforwildlife.com/cdn/shop/files/Smooth_Blue_Aster_Symphytrichum_laeve_Aster_laevis-600x600_1.jpg?v=1708727483)
Upon Receiving Your Plants
- Water the plants thoroughly after unboxing and let the water soak through the soil. If you cannot plant within a few days of receiving them, you can leave the plants outside in partial sun and monitor their moisture.
- Prepare your planting area: Remove lawn, weeds, and break up soil.
![](http://gardenforwildlife.com/cdn/shop/files/DSC_0135_1_{width}x.jpg?v=1677528468)
How to Plant Your Native Plants
Instructions for Planting in the Ground
1. Dig a hole at least two times wider than your plant's root ball, but no deeper than the height of the root ball.
- Plant a minimum of 12 inches apart to allow room for spread.
- Please refer to the design to assess if larger spacing is needed.
2. Loosen plants by gently massaging the sides of the container, then tipping upside down into your palm, being careful to not hold plants by their stems or disturb the root zone.
3. Cup the root mass in your hand and gently place it into the hole. Because container plants are usually grown in high organic soil mixes, we recommend adding organic matter to the backfill. Be sure to blend this into the backfill, using as much native soil as possible. Pat down soil around the plant base.
4. Add mulch to help retain moisture, taking care that the mulch does not touch plant stems, and water thoroughly. Two-three inches of mulch should be plenty.
Instructions for Planting in Containers
These plants may be planted in containers; however, it is possible that they will grow large over time and require staking, trimming, or dividing to maintain suitable size.
Plants that spread widely can be planted in a 24-36” container, while plants that spread less can be planted in their own smaller containers, each at least 12”-24” inches round or square.
The entire collection may also be planted in a 3’ X 4’ or larger rectangle box or raised bed with drainage holes.
Layer containers as follows:
- Place 2” of broken clay pot or small rocks of various sizes on top of holes at the bottom.
- Add mix of potting soil with organic compost.
Add a stake with a small water dish to provide a water source for visiting wildlife.
Soil Suggestions
Amend with organic compost if your soil is compacted.
![](http://gardenforwildlife.com/cdn/shop/files/20220415-garden_for_wildlife-109_websize_1_{width}x.jpg?v=1678311493)
Watering:
- Water these plants daily for the first two weeks as their roots are established.
- Continue to water regularly, especially if the weather is hot and dry, throughout the first year to let them get established.
- The best time to water your garden is early in the morning, before the sun is high. If you live in a humid climate, watering at this time lets the sun evaporate the standing water from the foliage of your plants, preventing mildew. In all climates, you will lose less water to evaporation by the sun’s rays if you apply it early in the day.
Seasonal Maintenance:
For more compact asters in the fall, trim them in July (prior to any blooms) to about 18 inches high. This will encourage the plant to branch out and will also encourage more blooms.
Tips For a Thriving Wildlife Garden
- Add a bird bath or make a puddling dish using a clay saucer to collect rainwater, along with some pebbles, to create a resting and drinking spot for wildlife.
- Never use herbicides or pesticides in or near your wildlife garden.
- Once plants mature and bloom, they will fill out the space and require less mulch to prevent weeds and retain moisture.
![](http://gardenforwildlife.com/cdn/shop/files/20220415-garden_for_wildlife-109_websize_1_b9b498eb-0a94-4592-9263-b650c7852a65_{width}x.jpg?v=1678313917)
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