Plant purple coneflowers, black-eyed susans, golden alexander, anise hyssop and bee-balm. They are hardy, multiply with the years and attract seed-eating birds, butterflies and hummingbirds.

If you have the energy to do it, maybe you could put in a small garden pond/pool nearby. That would give you a focal point that you could landscape around, and if there is a shallow area for the birds, it would be even better.

Even a small birdbath designed to sit on the ground, together with a dripper, will draw birds - much less energy and work than a pool/pond. I believe Duncraft offers both the birdbaths and the drippers.

Make certain to plant "old fashioned" flowers with lots of scent as smells evoke memories. Phlox, dianthus, rugosa roses. Don't plant hybrids as the fragrance is often bred out of them.