California Native Plants That Attract Birds and Butterflies

There are a variety of California native plants that are not only drought resistant but also charm many birds and butterflies into visiting a garden.

Plants That Attract Birds

“Many plants attract birds,” says “Green” Gene Sottosanto, a landscaper in Laguna Beach. He highlights several key species:

Fennel: The No. 1 bird plant in Southern California. It provides flowers, seeds, and aphids—favorites for many birds.
Night-blooming jasmine: Produces white berries that attract mockingbirds.
Cotoneaster pannosus: Attracts mockingbirds, robins, thrushes, and purple finches.
Privets: Favored by mockingbirds.
Magnolia grandiflora: Red fruit attracts red-shafted flickers and red-breasted sapsuckers.
Flowering maple: Popular with hummingbirds, orioles, and goldfinches.
Strawberry tree: Attracts band-tailed pigeons, thrushes, and mockingbirds.
Cape honeysuckle: Loved by hummingbirds.

If you want to attract butterflies to your garden, consider these California natives and garden-friendly choices:

Fennel: Also supports butterfly species in addition to birds.
California Lilac: Attracts the Echo Blue and California Tortoiseshell butterflies.
Hibiscus: Favored by the Common Hairstreak butterfly.
Snapdragons: Draw in the Buckeye butterfly.
Baby Tears: A favorite of the Red Admiral butterfly.