Gardeners are increasingly growing pollinator-attracting flowers. Bees, butterflies, moths, hummingbirds, and other insects and animals pollinate. They feed on nectar or pollen and help pollinate plants by transferring it.
Pollinators and songbirds eat plants that generate nectar and seeds. Echinacea coneflowers are excellent perennial flowers that provide nectar and seeds for pollinators and birds.
Purple coneflower is Echinacea purpurea, the native coneflower. Its pink-purple flower petals fade from brilliant to pastel. White flowers with green tints are also available.
Bees, butterflies, and other insects feast on the flower's summer nectar from its deep orange cone-shaped center. The flower's brilliant colors attract hummingbirds, fast-flying pollinators that drink its nectar.
This echinacea has seeds on its middle cone. Birds eat these seeds in the fall after the blossom matures and they dry off. These seeds may be eaten by squirrels, chipmunks, and other seed-loving rodents if the birds leave them.
Purple coneflowers are great pollinator garden plants for many reasons. Large flowers provide pollinators plenty of room to land. Bees may also notice it (red blossoms are hard for them).
Their rich nectar and pollen feed many insects. The blooms bloom for eight weeks or longer, providing nectar from midsummer to early October.
Drought-tolerant and easy to care for, these plants need no fertilizer. They grow to 3 feet and are wonderful cottage garden perennials or border plants behind shorter blooms.