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I have always had a large veggie garden which I plant and enjoy every year. But afew years ago, I got interested in improving my yard to attract more wildlife.

I started my gardens by planting lots of perennials to attract Butterflys, Hummingbirds and Honeybees. Also vines like Honeysuckle, herbs like Borage for the Hummers and Bees. I have 5 large Butterfly Bushes and lots of Joe Pye Weed for the Butterflies and Bees.

Every year I plant annuals for color and ones to attract hummers like Mexican Sunflower and annual Sunflower to attract the Goldfinches. I have started growing Grain Amaranth and Grain Sorghum as well as Buckwheat and annual Millet to attract birds.

Last year, I started planting shrubs like Viburnums, Elderberries, Serviceberries, Winterberries, Nanking Cherries, Black and Red Chokeberries, and Shrub Dogwoods that have bird attracting fruit to bring in more backyard birds. Its all working, as I have more birds, butterflies and bees than ever before. Plus hummers for two years now and none before that.

Last but not least, I have been adding edible fruiting shrubs to my landscape. I have Blueberries, Raspberries, Blackberries, Red Currants and Gooseberry for me to eat but the backyard birds get their share.

I also have feeders out and am trying birdhouses to attract cavity nesters.

I live on the North Shore of Long Island, close to Long Island Sound.

After all that, I have gotten interested in growing roses so have been adding roses to my gardens.