Beyond supplying food, native shrubs and trees are also necessary for shelter and nesting. While birds are adaptable, they’re going to seek out the places their instincts recognize, and those are the places that will evolve to accommodate them year-round. 

"If you have a forested area in your yard, leave dead branches and snags that provide nesting places for woodpeckers, as well as other cavity-nesting species such as chickadees, titmice, wrens, and bluebirds," says Winston. "Include native evergreens to supply important shelter from the cold."

While many birds build recognizable bird nests, others prefer to nest in cavities. For these birds, which include wrens, nuthatches, and bluebirds, place a nesting box in your yard. This can be mounted on a tree or a pole.

"Leave leaf litter and un-mowed areas under trees and shrubs to provide important shelter for both birds and the insects they need," says Winston. While these areas might seem like an eyesore to you, they’re a critical piece of the landscape that protects birds. If they’re given a choice between a pristinely landscaped yard and one that feels more untouched, they will probably be drawn to the one that resembles their natural habitat.

A bird bath isn’t just a pretty decorative feature. "A well-tended bird bath can greatly increase the diversity of birds that nest in your yard, visit during migration, and spend the winter—and if the bird bath is well-placed, you can sit back and enjoy the show as warblers, grosbeaks, and more stop to drink and wash up," says Winston. 

But, of course, a bird bath can also become a spot where bacteria and insects can thrive, so make sure you clean it regularly and replace the water every few days.

If you want to go one step further when it comes to birds and water, consider adding a moving water feature to your yard. "Birds are particularly attracted to the sound of running water, so adding a small trickle or drip to your bath will reap rewards," Winston says. You could also try a fountain or a small pond with a pump. Now you’ve created a bird-friendly garden and a relaxing space for you to enjoy your new avian friends.

Birds have incredibly sensitive, sharp vision, and they spot the best places to eat and sleep based on the color of flowers and foliage. By planting colorful flowers, shrubs, and trees, you’ll draw in birds looking for their next meal or place to sit and hang out for a while.

Cloaked in dense, dark, evergreen foliage that goes all the way down to the ground, thuga green giant (standishii x plicata 'Green Giant') has a conical habit that needs only occasional shearing or pruning, says Kelly Funk, president of Jackson & Perkins.

Zone: 5 to 9
Mature size: 30 to 50 feet tall x 10 to 12 feet wide
Care requirements: Full sun to part shade; well-draining soil

False cypress (Chamaecyparis) is an easy-to-care-for evergreen tree that has a fast growth habit. It's recognized by its dense and lush lime-green foliage that makes it a great option for privacy screens or hedges, says Funk.

Zone: 4 to 8
Mature size: 30 feet tall x 15 feet wide
Care requirements: Full sun to part shade; moist, well-draining soil

Coastal red cedar (Juniperus virginiana var. silicicola) boasts beautiful, slightly weeping branches with blueberry-like cones on the ends. This tree grows well in coastal areas and is drought-tolerant, so it's ideal for warmer climates.

Zone: 7 to 11
Mature size: 30 to 40 feet tall x 25 feet wide
Care requirements: Full sun; moist, well-draining, sandy soil

Nellie Stevens Holly (Ilex 'Nellie Stevens Holly') has dark green pointed leaves and is distinguished by its red berries. Holly varieties are generally dioecious, meaning the female plants have the fruit and benefit from having male plants pollinate them, says Damon Abdi of the Hammond Research Station at Louisiana State University's agricultural center.

Zone: 6 to 9
Mature size: 15 to 30 feet tall x 8 to 25 feet wide
Care requirements: Full sun to part shade; acidic, well-draining soil

A wonderful evergreen tree for creating a natural fence, Italian cypress (Cupressus sempervirens) has a very upright, tall and narrow form with attractive blue-green foliage. Keep in mind that mites, bagworms, and root rot can be common issues when growing Italian cypress, says Abdi. This tree generally does better in drier climates.

Zone: 7 to 10
Mature size: 40 to 70 feet tall x 3 to 6 feet wide
Care requirements: Full sun; well-draining soil

Great for welcoming pollinators to your yard, wax myrtle (Myrica cerifera) boasts attractive glossy leaves and flowerysthat aren't showy, but can be fragrant, says Abdi. The evergreen tree also produces waxy silver-blue fruits that have a welcoming aroma.

This quick-growing tree is often used for hedges or privacy screens and looks incredible in backyards. Leyland cypress (Cupressus × leylandii) typically has attractive blue-green foliage, but some cultivars are more yellow in color, says Abdi. It's susceptible to a wide range of pests, so it may be higher maintenance than other fast-growing evergreens.

Zone: 6 to 10
Mature size: 60 to 70 feet tall x 10 to 15 feet wide
Care requirements: Full sun; tolerates a range of soil conditions

Dahoon holly (Ilex cassine) is an upright grower that produces red berries. "Like other hollies, this is dioecious," says Abdi. If you grow this holly tree in your yard, be sure to protect the roots, especially after planting, as they are quite sensitive.

Zone: 7 to 11
Mature size: 20 to 30 feet tall x 10 to 15 feet wide
Care requirements: Full sun to part shade; moist, well-drained soil rich in organic matter

You can enjoy gorgeous cherry blossoms in your own yard—no spring trip necessary. A seasonal stunner, the Yoshino cherry tree produces a profusion of white-pink blossoms on bare branches and has a faint almond fragrance.  "This tree, also known as the Japanese flowering cherry, is the main event at many cherry blossom festivals around the world," says Nicole Shah, a gardener and co-founder of Garden Girls. "In summer, you will enjoy the tree's vase-shaped canopy and glossy green leaves."

The Mexican Buckeye is a beautiful deciduous tree with multiple trunks that displays a profusion of aromatic, light pink or mauve-hued flowers. "It blooms from late spring through summer, and during this time, its leaves turn into a captivating deep bronze hue," says Thomas. "The tree's exquisite blooms also serve as a host for a wide variety of butterflies, enhancing the beauty of your garden."

No matter the season, the white dogwood is ready to put on a show. "In spring, it produces white flowers," says Shah. The blooms, which are a mainstay from March through May, are actually "bracts" or modified leaves featuring small blooms at the center. These are a thick, creamy white with a golden-green bud; pink spots tend to appear on the tips of each petal.

Also referred to as Callistemon trees, bottlebrush trees are characterized by their peculiar and fuzzy bright red flower spikes that resemble, well, a bottlebrush! Thomas says that this eye-catching tree is one of his absolute favorites since it feels uniquely different from other flowering trees and plants. "The leaves of Callistemon rigidus are narrow, lance-shaped, and grow up to 4 inches long. They have a leathery texture and are dark green in color, providing a beautiful contrast to the tree's showy flowers," Thomas says. "The bottlebrush-like flower spikes of Callistemon rigidus are about 3 to 4 inches long, and bloom in shades of pink to red."

For a real garden showstopper, look no further than the gorgeous flowering crabapple. The Royalty variety produces purple-meets-crimson flowers, which are striking all on their own. The addition of a deep, dark foliage adds more richness of color. Sherlock says that the flowers and fruits produced by the tree are very attractive to bees and wildlife. Their size makes them a great focal point of any garden, though they're a particularly great pick for smaller yards.

The seeds of these trees are quite easily located—inside the fruits they produce, of course—but note that they can take about three to five years to produce flowers. It's well worth the wait if you have the patience.

Many peonies can be grown with little to no problems with disease, especially when planted in the correct location. But a new class of peonies—a cross between tree peonies and garden peonies (Paeonia suffruticosa x Paeonia lactiflora)—have superior disease resistance. In spring, the plant re-grows long, woody stems. "At the end of May, large buds open to a bright yellow mass of petals," says Adrienne Roethling.