Today, September 8th, 2025, was a good day. A really good day. I was out in the garden, enjoying the late summer sunshine, when I noticed a flurry of activity around my coneflowers.
It wasn’t just one or two birds; it was eight American Goldfinches! They were flitting from bloom to bloom, delicately plucking seeds, their vibrant yellow plumage a stark contrast to the fading purple and pink of the flowers. It’s moments like these that remind me why I fell in love with gardening in the first place – the connection to nature, the simple joys, and the unexpected visitors.
Coneflowers (Echinacea) are truly workhorses in the garden, especially if you’re looking to attract feathered friends like the goldfinches. These hardy perennials are native to North America and are incredibly low-maintenance once established. But their real magic happens in late summer and fall when their seed heads mature.
That’s when goldfinches, with their specialized beaks, go to town. They can hang upside down to reach the seeds, making for quite the acrobatic display. It’s fascinating to watch them. Unlike many gardeners who might deadhead their flowers to encourage more blooms, I deliberately leave my coneflower seed heads intact. This provides a crucial food source for goldfinches and other seed-eating birds throughout the fall and even into winter.
Beyond attracting birds, coneflowers offer other benefits. They’re drought-tolerant, meaning they don’t need constant watering once they’re settled in. They also attract butterflies and other pollinators, adding even more life to the garden. Plus, they come in a variety of colors – from the classic purple to pink, white, and even orange – so you can find varieties that suit your aesthetic.
If you’re looking to bring more wildlife into your backyard, or simply want to enjoy the cheerful presence of goldfinches, I highly recommend planting coneflowers. Don’t be afraid to leave those seed heads standing. It’s a small change that can make a big difference, not just for the birds, but for your own enjoyment of the natural world right outside your door.
Today, seeing those eight goldfinches feasting on my coneflowers, I knew I’d never take them down. They’re more than just flowers; they’re a vital food source and a constant source of joy.