Gardening For Nature
As we progress further into spring and summer, Kiawah will be visited by a variety of migratory songbirds (including the ever-popular painted bunting). Property owners can ensure that these birds have necessary habitat by applying proper maintenance practices in their homes’ landscapes.
One of the most important things a property owner can do is maintain shrubs in a manner that allows them to take on a more “natural” look. Quite simply, this can be done by pruning with hand-held shears instead of larger devices. In contrast, the “formal” landscape with boxed hedges and heavily shaped shrubs will do little to provide habitat for songbirds – as plants maintained in this manner are difficult for birds to penetrate and can even be viewed as obstacles because of their rigid styling.
By allowing your shrubs to take on a more natural appearance, they will offer songbirds increased cover and protection. As birds move around the Island and seek out nesting habitat, these areas of cover will prove to be very important!




