bird habitat in winter perennials

    Last fall  we had a thread about leaving some of the seedheads for
the birds and other wiildlife.  We spoke about leaving the seedheads for
as long as we could stand the mess.
    The mum seed heads were next on my list to cut back.  The dried
seedheads looked ugly atop the green leaves of next years growth  But
today a flock of Redpolls made the mess worthwhile. Some birds perched
on the dried stalk while they delicately consumed the seeds. Other
members of the flock joined Oregon juncos that investigated things of
interest on the ground.   After the mums had been visited then they
spent time on the various lavenders.
    The birds have flocked all winter in the perennials.  Even unlikely
seedheads  demand their attention.   Maybe we're just going to have to
teach ourselves to tolerate the ugly winter look of last summer's
Rudbeckias because the seedheads are enjoyed so much by the birds.
    But some dried perennial seedheads continue to look good.  The tall
spires of Campanulas planted in a swath  looks great. Husker Red
Penstemon made a bright fall statement but continues as a bronzy colored
bird attractrant.
Best, Vicki

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