Hosting Wildlife in the City

No backyard? No problem! Urban gardening for birds and wildlife

If you have a balcony, piece of a roof garden, or simply a window with a box planter, you can provide food and water for wildlife. And be happy in the knowledge that you’re meeting a real need.

City environments can be challenging for wildlife, but with the right plants and setup, even the smallest urban space can become a haven for birds, butterflies, and beneficial insects.

Urban Growing Solutions

Best Plants for City Spaces

The best vine for city-living may be Boston Ivy and wild birds love its blue fruits. Nandina with its beautiful red fruits and lovely fall foliage can grow almost anywhere, including containers. Small hollies work well (be sure to have at least one male plant).

Window Boxes & Feeders

With windows and window boxes, offer hulled sunflower seed in a feeder such as one which can attach to glass with suction cups or to the wall. In warm weather, plant the window box with bright flowers to entice hummingbirds and butterflies. (See the accompanying article “Which Wildlife Needs What” for suggestions on what to grow.)

You can also attach a hummingbird feeder to your window. Place a heavy shallow container in the center of your box for water.

Nesting Opportunities

If you can attach a nesting shelf to a wall, you may play host to robins, Eastern phoebes, or barn swallows. A nest box may entice the following neighbors: house sparrows, starlings, house wrens, titmice, chickadees, or even squirrels.

Quick Tips

🏙️ Small Spaces

Even a single window box can provide food and water for urban wildlife.

🌿 Best Vines

Boston Ivy thrives in urban conditions and provides blue fruits that birds love.

🪺 Nest Boxes

Simple nest boxes can attract wrens, titmice, and chickadees to your urban space.

💧 Water Source

A shallow dish of water in your window box serves birds and beneficial insects.

Urban Wildlife-Friendly Plants

🍇 Boston Ivy

Why birds love it: Blue fruits, dense coverage for nesting

Growing: Hardy vine, tolerates urban pollution, grows in containers or against walls

🔴 Nandina

Why birds love it: Beautiful red fruits, lovely fall foliage

Growing: Grows almost anywhere, excellent for containers, low maintenance

🌿 Small Hollies

Why birds love it: Berries provide winter food, evergreen shelter

Growing: Need at least one male plant, container-friendly compact varieties available

🌸 Bright Flowers

Why pollinators love them: Attract hummingbirds and butterflies

Growing: Plant in window boxes during warm weather, choose nectar-rich varieties

💡 Urban Gardening Success Tips

  • Start small: Even one window box makes a difference
  • Choose hardy plants: Select species that tolerate urban conditions (pollution, wind, temperature fluctuations)
  • Provide water: Fresh water is often harder for urban wildlife to find than food
  • Think vertical: Use vines and wall-mounted planters to maximize limited space
  • Go native when possible: Local wildlife is adapted to native plants
  • Multiple food sources: Seeds, fruits, nectar-rich flowers appeal to different species

Learn More About Wildlife Gardening


Discover which wildlife needs what in your garden space

Wildlife Gardening Guide