One of the most sure-fire methods of attracting birds is to install a bird bath. Keep it clean and filled with fresh water all year round.

I'd suggest that song birds are more attracted to areas where there is some sort of cover in the form of trees and shrubs, than flowers. However, two perennials that come to mind are Agastache and Echinacea. Both are a favorite of seed eating birds, and an Agastache in full bloom will attract hummingbirds along with a host of other pollinating insects. I call them 'beesicles'.

Awesome! We finally got two out of several agastache seeds to germinate recently & we're planting more this week. Have purple cone flower seeds but never had any luck with germination-someone told me put em in fridge first so I'll try again. Bird bath here we come! Gotta get one then so we can invite pretty birds to watch.

Thanks for the info! :)

I second the bird bath suggestion. I have six of varying types and sizes on our half acre-one is just a fabulous blue flower pot saucer that I picked up. Just be sure to change the water every other day or so to avoid hatching mosquitoes. In winter, I cover the large stone baths with a plastic contractor's bag that I mold to shape the basin so I can still fill it but avoid water getting into small fissures in the concrete, freezing, and cracking the bowl. Not pretty, but my concrete baths have lasted forever. May not be necessary, but I do it. Oh, and be sure to place the bath near a tree or shrub that offers protection if the soggy bird needs to get away quickly. My favorites to watch are the blue jays and the robins. They really revel in the bath! Too funny.

Finches love my echinacea plants and it is such a joy to see the goldfinches perched atop them. I have never grown any from seed. I bought two plants years ago and they have spread nicely to create a decent stand.

Also, get a feeder or two. I feed year round (no seeds or berries to speak of until mid-summer, you know) with hulled sunflower seeds, so no mess. I also put out a suet feeder with plain suet. The flickers and woodpeckers love the suet and if you use plain suet, you won't have a problem with squirrels eating it all!

Have fun! The birdsong that will fill your yard year-round will be such a joy!