We inherited a 150 year old weeping mulberry tree with our garden, and when planning the layout, we decided to establish as central to an area designed to attract wild birds. The birds find the mulberry tree’s gnarled old branches and succulent young fruit an irresistible combination, and to further encourage our little feathered friends, we sowed some seed-bearing plants nearby.

Black oil sunflower seeds are considered best at attracting a wide variety of seed-eating birds. Jerusalem artichoke, with its edible rhizomes, is from the same family and it is now displaying an abundance of yellow flowers with a chocolatey fragrance.

Oh, and if you have some time to spare and want to do some bird-spotting,  you’re very welcome to do so from the human-sized nest (designed and made by Porky Hefer of Animal Farm) we’ve hidden in the bamboo.

Constance-Marie