Grow a Garden That Birds and Pollinators Love

With summer in full swing, our gardens become more than just places of beauty—they’re essential habitats for birds, bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. Summer can be especially challenging for these beneficial creatures, with the bright sun, reduced water sources, and fewer blooming plants.
We believe that gardening and giving back to nature go hand in hand. With just a few thoughtful additions, your garden can become a sanctuary for pollinators and feathered friends alike. From nectar-rich blooms to bird-friendly water features, we’ll show you simple ways to support your Texas wildlife and keep your garden buzzing all summer long.

Essential Supplies for Your Summer Garden

At Calloway’s and Cornelius, we have everything you need to support birds and pollinators in your summer garden. With just a few thoughtful touches, you can create a welcoming space that not only looks beautiful but also provides essential resources for local wildlife.

Hummingbird Feeders & Nectar

These vibrant, fast-flying pollinators rely on nectar for energy—especially in the heat of summer when natural sources may be limited. Hanging a hummingbird feeder filled with fresh nectar is an easy way to attract them to your landscape and keep them fueled for their long flights.

Bird Houses

We offer both wooden and moss birdhouses, each providing a unique, inviting habitat for birds. Birdhouses provide safe, sheltered spaces for birds to nest and raise their young, especially in areas where natural tree cavities are scarce. They protect birds from predators and harsh weather, supporting species like bluebirds, chickadees, and wrens. By placing birdhouses in your outdoor space, you help sustain local bird populations and encourage a healthy, balanced ecosystem.

Birdbaths

Start by adding Calloway’s Premium Potting Soil—just enough to match the size of your plant’s root system. For this one, we only needed a small layer at the bottom.

Clean, fresh water is vital for birds during our ever-changing summer. Birdbaths give them a safe place to drink, cool off, and even bathe. Placing a birdbath in a shaded area helps keep the water cooler and more inviting throughout the day.

During the summer months, be sure to refresh the water in your bird bath every 1-2 days, and clean thoroughly at least once a week. You can do a deep clean with a safe vinegar and water solution using nine parts water to one part vinegar and scrub the base, dry and rinse thoroughly before refilling with water.

Bird Feed

Offering a consistent source of high-quality bird seed invites a variety of feathered friends to your garden. From cardinals to finches, birds rely on feeders for nourishment—especially when food sources are scarce or difficult to access. Our Premium Bird Seed is customized with plenty of proteins, carbohydrates and fats, each blend containing a variety of ingredients that will appeal to various types of birds.

Ceramic Pottery Saucers for Butterflies & Bees

Butterflies and other pollinators also need access to water and essential minerals. Create a simple “puddling station” by filling a shallow ceramic pottery saucer with a mix of water and mineral-rich soil or sand. This allows butterflies to drink and absorb nutrients, which supports their health and reproduction.

With these easy additions, your garden becomes more than a place of beauty—it becomes a vital habitat for the pollinators and birds that help your garden thrive. Visit our birding collection to view more products!

Pollinator Plants

Lantana

Lantana is a favorite for pollinators thanks to its clusters of brightly colored blooms and long flowering season. Butterflies and bees are drawn to its nectar-rich flowers, and it thrives in the heat, making it a must-have for Texas summer gardens.

Texas Mallow (Turk’s Cap)

Pentas

Pentas produce star-shaped flowers in white, pinks, purples, and reds that butterflies can’t resist. These compact plants love the sun and work beautifully in containers, borders, or pollinator-focused flowerbeds.

Native Butterfly Vine

This fast-growing, flowering vine adds texture and vertical interest to your garden. Its cheerful yellow blooms attract butterflies, and it even produces whimsical seed pods shaped like butterflies. A true Texas native and fresh shipment has now arrived in stores.

‘Kaleidoscope’ Abelia

With colorful foliage and clusters of tiny white blooms, ‘Kaleidoscope’ Abelia provides both beauty and function. Bees and butterflies frequent the flowers, while the foliage adds year-round interest. Low maintenance and deer resistant, it’s also simple to shape with light pruning.

‘Silver Dream’ Texas Sage

A stunning twist on a Texas favorite, ‘Silver Dream’ Texas Sage features silvery foliage and soft purple blooms. It’s highly attractive to bees and pollinators and thrives in full sun with minimal water. A striking, low-maintenance choice for any pollinator garden.

Mandevilla

Mandevilla is a vibrant, sun-tolerant vine that thrives in the Texas climate, making it a perfect addition to sunny gardens. Its trumpet-shaped blooms attract pollinators like bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, providing them with a rich source of nectar. Easy to grow and drought-resistant once established, Mandevilla adds beauty while supporting a healthy pollinator population. Colors range from yellow, pink burgundy, and more; selection may vary by store!

Red Yuccas

Gently pack it around the base of the plant, covering the soil surface without pressing it down too firmly. This adds a soft, natural texture that not only enhances the overall aesthetic but also gives your houseplants a clean, polished appearance—perfect for tying your display together.

Red Yuccas produce tall spikes of coral-red tubular flowers that attract hummingbirds and bees. Their architectural form and drought tolerance make them an excellent choice for xeriscaping or low-water landscapes.

 

 

Shop Pollinator Plants With Ease

At Calloway’s and Cornelius, we’re here to help you create beautiful summer spaces that also support the health of birds and pollinators. From providing fresh water in elegant birdbaths to nourishing wildlife with high-quality bird seed and vibrant, nectar-rich plants, we have everything you need to turn your yard into a thriving sanctuary. Visit any of our 28 neighborhood locations—we’ve proudly served our communities for over 38 years with expert advice and a passion for nature.

Have questions? No worries! Ask any one of our Texas Certified Nursery Professionals; and tap into their knowledge we are here for your gardening success. We are here to help!