By late September, the garden has a different feel. The swifts have gone, the last brood of blue tits has fledged, and the first redwings and fieldfares are arriving from Scandinavia. For the birds that stay with us through winter — blackbirds, song thrushes, robins and tits — the coming months are a scramble for calories. A shrub laden with berries is one of the most generous things you can offer them.

Why native shrubs earn their place

Native shrubs have evolved alongside our garden birds. Their berries ripen in a sequence that matches the changing needs of resident and visiting species, and they support far more insects than most exotic alternatives. A single hawthorn or rowan can feed caterpillars in spring, provide nesting cover in summer, and produce a crop of fat-rich berries in autumn. That combination is hard to beat.

Berries are not just a convenient snack. They are rich in sugars and fats, helping birds lay down the reserves they need for cold nights. Species that depend on them include blackbirds, song thrushes, mistle thrushes, redwings, fieldfares and, in some years, waxwings. Even robins and blackcaps will take a share.

Hawthorn: the dependable hedgerow stalwart

Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) is the classic British hedgerow shrub, and for good reason. Its dense, thorny growth makes a secure nesting site, while its deep red haws are a reliable autumn food source. The berries are taken by thrushes and blackbirds as soon as they ripen, often from September onwards.

• Fruiting season: September to November
• Best for: blackbirds, song thrushes, redwings, fieldfares
• Planting: bare-root whips from November to March, 45–60cm apart for a hedge
• Site: sun or partial shade, almost any soil except waterlogged

If you already have a hawthorn hedge, resist the urge to trim it in autumn. Cutting now removes the berries before the birds get a chance. Leave it until late winter, after the fruit has gone.

Holly: a late-season lifeline

Holly (Ilex aquifolium) is slower growing than hawthorn, but its berries are one of the few reliable sources of food in the depths of winter. They ripen in late autumn and often remain on the bush until January or February, when other berries have long disappeared. Thrushes and blackbirds will strip a holly in a hard frost.

Remember that holly is dioecious: only female plants bear berries, and they need a male nearby for pollination. Plant at least one male for every three or four females. Hollies tolerate shade, making them useful for north-facing gardens, and their evergreen leaves provide valuable shelter. The berries are toxic to humans and pets, so keep them out of reach of small children.

Rowan: bright berries for thrushes and waxwings

Rowan (Sorbus aucuparia), also called mountain ash, is a compact native tree that suits even small gardens. Its clusters of scarlet berries ripen in late summer and early autumn, and they are among the first to be eaten. Blackbirds, thrushes and waxwings all flock to them.

Rowan prefers a sunny spot and moist but well-drained soil. It will tolerate acid or neutral conditions. The berries can ferment on the branch after a warm spell, and birds occasionally appear slightly the worse for wear — a curious but harmless sight. Plant one near a window if you want a front-row seat to the autumn feeding frenzy.

More native shrubs to stretch the season

Hawthorn, holly and rowan cover the core of the season, but a mix of other natives will keep the larder stocked from August to March. Try these:

• Guelder rose (Viburnum opulus): translucent red berries that are often left until late autumn, when they soften.
• Dog rose (Rosa canina): bright red hips that feed thrushes and blackbirds well into winter.
• Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa): sloes that are bitter until frosted, then taken by fieldfares and redwings.
• Elder (Sambucus nigra): early-ripening berries that disappear quickly in August and September.
• Spindle (Euonymus europaeus): striking pink and orange fruits that are eaten later in autumn.
• Ivy (Hedera helix): mature ivy flowers in autumn and its black berries ripen in late winter, a vital emergency food.

Planting a mix for a longer fruiting season

The key is overlap. Aim for three or five different shrubs that fruit at different times. A simple plan might be rowan for August and September, hawthorn for October, guelder rose and spindle for November, holly for December and January, and ivy for February. That way, there is always something on offer.

Plant bare-root shrubs between November and March, when the soil is moist and the plants are dormant. Dig a hole slightly wider than the roots, place the shrub at the same depth it was growing before, and firm the soil gently. Water well for the first two summers, and mulch with well-rotted organic matter to keep weeds down and moisture in.

Finally, leave the pruning until late winter. Resist the temptation to tidy up in autumn. A slightly untidy garden, with berries left on the branch and seedheads standing, is exactly what our garden birds need. The reward is a garden that hums with life long after the summer visitors have gone.