
Flowers appearing post-deadheading can be smaller and less satisfying, so why not just leave the first, bigger flowers to go to seed and give the birds a feast? That way you can leave them be, guaranteeing food for another beloved category of wildlife-birds, particularly small songbirds like goldfinches, which are crazy about the seeds. Pruning: Though deadheading is a common garden practice to encourage repeat blooming, many varieties these days are flower machines and will keep producing without snipping off spent blooms. These easy-care perennials require only the basics: regular watering of about an inch per week, a light layer of compost added in the spring, and to be cut back in fall, and even that’s optional if you prefer to leave the seed heads. Purple coneflower ( Echinacea purpurea) is a popular perennial in Zones 3-9. See more Bee-Friendly Flowers & Plants for Hummingbirds. Other pollinators, such as honeybees and hummingbirds will visit Echinacea too.

Each composite flower (actually a compact arrangement of ray and disk flowers) offers up a fully loaded buffet table for butterflies. For weeks, even months, during the summer and fall the blooms and seed heads will attract a multitude of winged beauties. Other animals that may take a taste include rabbits, squirrels and woodchucks.ĭo coneflowers attract bees and butterflies? If you want to enjoy butterflies and songbirds in your garden plant coneflowers. However, if deer are hungry enough, they will eat almost anything. Their spiny centers and strong aroma deter deer. pallida are commonly used in herbal remedies.Īre coneflowers deer resistant? Many gardeners report that they are deer resistant.

All are native to the U.S., found in areas across the Midwest and South. Types: While the purple coneflower, Echinacea purpurea, is most familiar to gardeners, there are other varieties including E. (See more full-sun perennials.)īloom time: Varies by species and cultivar, but bloom times usually range from June to August or later.įlower color: Most well-known are the purple coneflowers, but pink, red, orange, white, yellow and green varieties are available. Some may tolerate partial shade, and in hotter southern climates, some light afternoon shade can prevent burning.
Purple coneflower turning black full#
Height/Spread: : Varieties 2 to 5 feet tall and 1-1/2 to 2 feet wide.Įxposure: Varies by species and zone, but typically thrive in full sun. Zones: Varies, but species range from Zones 3 through 9.
