"will" wrote in message
...
I'm designing a new (small) garden from scratch. 6m x 4m. I am very keen
to
attract birds. I'm in the middle of London and the only thing currently on
the site is a mature sycamore.
I've read a bit, so I'm planning an ilex hedge (both sexes), climbing
honeysuckle, species rose (Rosa moyesii 'Geranium'), ivy, maybe a
berberis.
Plus bird boxes, bird bath, feeders.

I just wondered what in your experience was your most succesful plant
and/or
strategy for attracting birds? Specific cultivars especially welcome.

Pyracantha, berberis and rowan all produce berries which the birds love.
Also provide a bird bath as even in winter they need to bathe to keep
feathers in good condition to stay war, and they need to drink all year
round too. You could make a hanging feeder to suspend from a tree branch to
foil cats or other predators.
You might also consider planting some ornamental grasses as the seed heads
will provide food for finches and on a personal level I love the gentle "sh
sh sh" noise made by any slight breeze blowing through them.