my property is a Certified Wildlife habitat .The NWF was fun to fill out and I have found the wildlife add so much to my yard. So I got the info online for the FLORIDA Wildlife habitat and Never did finish the paperwork.It is very detailed I guees what threw me was the graph paper they wanted me to use to place EVERY tree on my property. I once counted 100 sabal Palms and 75 oaks not to mention all the others. That I must say, did me in.LOL!

What are your height restrictions? Xanthorhiza simplicissima would spread quickly, (Ranunculaceae) and is hardy to zone 3, according to Dirr. Mine is in the same spot for five years and is now 2.5 feet tall and ever widening. I have never watered this plant and it has never asked for it. One thing, though.....acid soil will be required, so that probably rules it out for you. Rx

If you have a moist, semi-shady area you could try planting a thicket for the birds using plants like Viburnum trilobum, other viburnum, elderberries, native plum thicket, etc. Lindera benzion, spicebush, grows very well in shady moist areas and birds love the berries (and it provides habitat for spicebush swallowtail caterpillars). Plant a Clematis virginiana (virgin's bower) over it and voila! Instant cover and food sources. I would add Lonicera sempervirens for the hummers if you can (native honeysuckle). Some of your hummer plants are not native, such as the chives, scabiosa, parsley...hummers also enjoy columbine, penstemon, and garden phlox. Seed-eating birds also love the seeds of coreopsis, native sunflowers, rudbeckia and echinacea. Your Bradford pear is unfortunately an invasive species in Virginia and you may want to consider replacing it with a native alternative if you can. Sounds like you're off to a wonderful start with what you have. Adding a water source to your yard will really bring the birds flocking!

Yardvaark, Thank you for the advise. The Bee Balm does indeed get large, so I'll push it back roughly 3' feet from the path, and have the ground cover (White Nancy) probably 6" from the path. I think I'll try to plant them irregularly around the bird bath. Iaceyvail, Yeah not sure what I was thinking with the weed barrier. When starting out, the concept not having to worry too much about weeds was very alluring. Definitely proved to be pointless. And yes! I'm looking for mainly insect attracing plants. I have milkweed in the backyard that did a wonderful job as habitat for monarch caterpillars.