Native plants: A natural beauty that brings birds home
More than just adding charm to landscapes, native plants play a vital role in preserving ecosystems and creating vibrant, bird-filled gardens. In Vietnam, this rising global trend is also gaining momentum, offering exciting opportunities for nature lovers and garden enthusiasts alike.
A home for birds and bugs
According to the Audubon Society (USA), native plants are essential for providing food and shelter to bird species. A U.S. study revealed that a single native oak tree can support over 500 species of butterflies and caterpillars, the primary food source for baby birds while a non-native ginkgo supports only five (Audubon, 2025). This stark contrast is why gardeners worldwide are swapping exotic species for natives like sunflowers, coneflowers, and ornamental grasses.
In the UK, the Woodland Trust encourages people to plant crab apples and hazel trees, which not only beautify gardens but also produce fruits and nuts to sustain birds through the harsh winter months (Gardens Illustrated, 2025).
 |
| Non-native ginkgo tree. |
For plant and nature enthusiasts, the trend of planting native plants offers an opportunity to combine aesthetics and conservation. For example, in the United States, native trumpet honeysuckle is popular for its nectar-rich flowers that attract hummingbirds, while also producing red berries that are a favorite food of purple finches. Meanwhile, grasses such as bluestem and switchgrass not only create landscape accents but also provide ideal shelter for finches and pollinators.
Some North American gardeners have creatively combined native plants such as goldenrod with small ponds, turning a corner of the yard into an ideal “stopover” for goldfinches and honeybees.
 |
| Garden house in America. |
 |
| The Plants for Birds campaign has engaged millions of Americans. Pictured is an Eastern bluebird with dogwood berries. Photo: Will Stuart. |
 |
| Plant trees to attract birds, creating a livable green space. Photo: Will Stuart. |
Community movement and development potential in Vietnam
In the US, the Audubon Society’s “Plants for Birds” movement has spread across all 50 states, calling on people to replace traditional lawns with native plants to create shelter and food sources for birds, bees, and butterflies. Many residential areas in California, Colorado, and Oregon also have policies to encourage planting native plants to save water and reduce carbon emissions. The trend of using “nativars” - ornamental plants bred from native plants is also increasingly popular in environmentally friendly garden designs.
In the UK, the trend of “meadowscaping” - turning home gardens into natural wildflower lawns by planting native plants - is widely accepted by people. Instead of neatly trimming, more and more people choose to keep their lawns “shaggy” (natural, bushy) to encourage insects and birds to live. At the Chelsea Flower Show - the UK’s most prestigious gardening event - for the first time, an “untrimmed” garden was honored, clearly reflecting the change in aesthetic and ecological thinking of modern gardeners.
In Europe, the “green roof” model using native plants to cover the roof is being strongly implemented in Switzerland, Germany and the Netherlands. Basel (Switzerland) is one of the pioneers with a policy requiring new houses to have green roofs, both creating urban green space and providing habitat for birds, insects and local plants.
In Australia, with a dry climate, people are promoting the trend of “xeriscaping” - landscape design using drought-resistant native plants that require little care, saving water resources while preserving the wild beauty of native nature. Gardens in this style are currently blooming in states such as New South Wales and Victoria.
What about in Vietnam?
We have a rich flora and a diverse tropical climate, ideal conditions for developing this trend in a localized direction. Familiar trees such as peony, sưa, Indian laurel, royal poinciana or bougainvillea not only beautify the living space but also attract woodpeckers, starlings, turtledoves - "natural artists" who are familiar with Vietnamese life.
 |
| In some eco-urban areas in Ho Chi Minh City, Dong Nai and Hanoi, landscape architects have begun to incorporate native plants into garden designs instead of planting exotic plants. |
In some eco-urban areas in Ho Chi Minh City, Dong Nai and Hanoi, landscape architects have begun to incorporate native plants into garden designs instead of planting exotic plants. Landscape artist Tran Van Long (Hung Yen) is also working with local people to restore rare native plants, while building an ecological garden that serves both relaxation and environmental education purposes.
Right in your home garden, you can try to create a "natural oasis" by planting native plants, combined with a small pond or pot of clean water. After just a few weeks, you will be surprised to see your garden bustling with the sounds of birds and butterflies.
Planting native plants is not only a way to beautify the garden but also a small act with great significance to protect biodiversity. From sunflowers, purple chrysanthemums to Indian laurel, cotton trees - each tree carries a story about the harmony between humans and nature. Try starting today, so that your garden is not only beautiful but also a "friendly home" for precious birds around us.
References: Audubon (2025), Gardens Illustrated (2025), Birds & Blooms (31/03/2025)
