Which shrub for birds?

If you had limited space but wanted to attract the most variety of birds with just one shrub, which would you recommend?

TIA

 

the one with the bird feeder in it....

sorry I can't be of help here but I would think that it would be something that blooms and then produces edible berries...

 

Agreed @CanadianLori - I've had pyracantha in my two previous gardens but not sure how many varieties of bird it actually attracted. Lots of bees though

 

Around here the Blackbirds like the Cotoneaster Berries, Blackberries and Elder Berries
and with the Cotoneaster you will get lots of Bees too

 

http://www.gardenersworld.com/plants/features/wildlife/top-10-plants-for-birds/3569.html

Guelder Rose This native shrub also has red berries but they ripen early and are softer than those of holly and hawthorn, making them more appealing to smaller birds, including blackcaps, garden warblers and robins, plus song thrushes and, if you are lucky, waxwings. Again, this shrub attracts plenty of insects for adult birds feeding their chicks.

Sorbus Sheerwater Seedling Our native rowan (Sorbus aucuparia) is a wonderful small tree for a garden, but the variety sheerwater seedling takes up less space yet still has all the advantages. Mistle thrushes, blackbirds, nuthatches, starlings and waxwings strip the berries in autumn.

Honeysuckle
As it's a climber, honeysuckle is ideal when space is tight. In autumn it provides berries and shelter for birds such as thrushes, warblers and bullfinches. In summer, its scented flowers attract insects and so provide food for a different range of birds.

@"M" i just picked up a Honeysuckle(Tatarica) a shrub version from dear ole poundland that grows to 8ft and is best of all highly scented At that height i have thought of growing another one in a large pot and keep it pruned as a standard ...might be one to consider

 

Thanks @BeeHappy
I have a honeysuckle which I've managed to drag along with me through my previous two house moves (goodness knows how I've been successful with it, but those little cuttings have done me proud). One along the ajoining neighbours fence and another towards the back of the garden.

I'll have to look out for the other two suggestions

 

@Jiffy - ooh cotoneaster (or, as I used to pronounce it until a kind soul corrected me: cotton easter ) I've always rather fancied one of those ...

 

I would say Hawthorn or blackthorn but you would need space to allow them to get big enough to fruit which may not be very practical if you don't have much space. How much space do you have?

 

It's definitely worth considering Guelder Rose if you have the space for it. Not only does it produce berries for the birds, the flowers attract a host of insects in spring, and the branches and leaves seem to attract aphids (blackfly in particular) and various other insects and caterpillars in large numbers, all with seemingly little detriment to the plant itself.

I have a couple of these in my garden and even at this time of year, when the berries have been eaten, there always seem to be small birds such as Tits and Wrens exploring the branches looking for overwintering insects.

 

I think this is poisonous. I'm sure it killed one of my chickens. I watched her eating a lot of those berries and she sickened and died. I dug it up; I won't grow it again.

 

Cistus?

 

I was sent a baby one from @merleworld before I moved here. Unfortunately, I wasn't successful with it/it didn't like me

Not a lot really, but a little more than some. My garden is 18' wide and about 65' long. But, the patio area takes up about 14' of that length and the chicken/utility area takes up another 20' - so, that leaves a central "garden" of roughly 18x30 ish.

"are doing it for themselves ... " (sing along now - and remember you started it )