Coneflowers and Goldfinches
Toward the end of the summer, I always look forward to seeing Goldfinches flock to my Purple Coneflowers. This is one plant that I definitely do not dead-head because it continues to attract such great wildlife even after it goes completely out of bloom. In fact, I don’t cut the seed heads until the following spring because they are attractive even in the winter. Being such a relatively low maintenance perennial, it’s no wonder that Coneflowers are so popular with people (and Goldfinches). There are quite a few varieties to choose from and more being created every year. I like ‘Magnus’, ‘Alba’, ‘Bright Star’ and ‘Sunrise’. I’ve had some trouble growing ‘Sunset’ which is unfortunate because I really like the color. Next spring I plan on getting ‘Green Envy’ or ‘Green Jewel’ just because I like green flowers. I am not a huge fan of the double Coneflowers, ‘Pink Double Delight’ or ‘Coconut Lime’. I wonder if those cultivars attract Goldfinches as well as the single flowering Coneflowers?
Posted by Cynthia Druckenbrod
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August 26th, 2008 at 10:29 am
I am going to be planting Echinacea ‘Sunrise’, ‘Sunset’ and ‘Twilight’ in my garden this year. They are such beautiful flowers and attract all types of birds and butterflies!
Thank you for sharing your picture!
August 26th, 2008 at 1:32 pm
Dear Cynthia
A lovely post! I am commenting online, because this is such a wonderfuly timely subject and nice photo. I was actually thinking of posting along the same lines!
You add another great reason to garden organically - goldfinches add a beautiful dimension to the concept of “color in the garden.”
September 4th, 2008 at 8:35 am
You’ve given me new appreciation for my unappreciated and thought-to-be pedestrian purple coneflowers. I wouldn’t go so far as to say that coneflowers rock just yet, but they’re not terrible, either.