To me, a garden without birds is a sad place.

I expend a lot of time and energy ensuring that the plants I grow have value to the birds, either as food, or nesting material.

Last year I learned that the frequently flowering Catmint (not Catnip) not only makes a wonderful, draught resistant border plant, but it is the joy and love of the American Goldfinchs.

American Goldfinch pair hanging off the fence while eating Catmint seeds.

Almost hidden in the Catmint, the American Goldfinch chows down, ignoring me completely.