eighteen plants suitable for enticing goldfinches into your backyard oasis

eighteen plants suitable for enticing goldfinches into your backyard oasis

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Goldfinches are delightful, vibrant songbirds that are a joy to have in any garden. To attract these feathered friends to your outdoor space, consider planting a mix of 18 seed-producing flowers and plants that goldfinches favour. This selection of plants thrives in sunny spots and requires moderate watering, providing a nutritious source of seeds and shelter for goldfinches.

Here are 18 ideal plants along with care tips drawn from the best available sources:

1. Sunflowers (Helianthus annuus)
2. Provide large, seed-filled heads that goldfinches love.
3. Care: Full sun, moderate watering, tolerate poor soils.
4. Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)
5. Seeds mature late summer; also attract pollinators.
6. Care: Full sun to part shade, drought tolerant once established.
7. Marigolds (Tagetes)
8. Bright orange/yellow/red blooms; seeds attract goldfinches and repel pests.
9. Care: Full sun, regular watering, well-drained soil.
10. Zinnias
11. Colorful annuals offering seeds for finches throughout the growing season.
12. Care: Full sun, moderate watering, well-drained soil.
13. Coreopsis
14. Golden, daisy-like flowers with abundant seeds goldfinches enjoy.
15. Care: Full sun, drought tolerant, low maintenance.
16. Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)
17. Produces seeds important for goldfinches and has a long bloom time.
18. Care: Full sun, moderate watering.
19. Asters
20. Provide seeds and nectar; bloom late in the season.
21. Care: Full sun to part shade, moderate watering.
22. Goldenrod
23. Seed-producing plant that also attracts pollinators.
24. Care: Full sun, moist well-drained soil.
25. Thistle (native varieties)
26. Seeds and down are vital for goldfinches for food and nesting material.
27. Care: Full sun, well-drained soil.
28. Joe-Pye Weed
    • Seeds attract goldfinches; also supports butterflies.
    • Care: Full sun to part shade, moist soil.
29. Milkweed (Asclepias)
    • Seeds attract goldfinches; also an important butterfly host plant.
    • Care: Full sun, well-drained soil.
30. Sun Drops (Oenothera fruticosa)
    • Bright yellow flowers and seed heads preferred by birds.
    • Care: Full sun, drought tolerant.
31. Gaillardia (Blanket Flower)
    • Produces seeds attractive to goldfinches.
    • Care: Full sun, drought tolerant.
32. Scabiosa (Pincushion Flower)
    • Seeds provide nutrition to finches.
    • Care: Full sun, well-drained soil.
33. Chicory
    • Produces seeds goldfinches eat; also a wildflower.
    • Care: Full sun, drought tolerant.
34. Cosmos
    • Produces small seeds that finches eat.
    • Care: Full sun, moderate water.
35. Verbena
    • Seed heads attract finches.
    • Care: Full sun, drought tolerant.
36. Liatris (Blazing Star)
    • Seeds attract finches and nectar attracts pollinators.
    • Care: Full sun, well-drained soil.

General Care Tips: - Most of these plants prefer full sun and well-drained soil. - Water moderately, avoid overwatering once plants are established. - Allow seed heads to mature and remain on the plant during late summer and fall to provide food and nesting materials. - Avoid cutting back plants too early in the season to let seeds fully develop. - Incorporate some native "weedy" plants and allow some natural growth areas for goldfinches to forage naturally.

In addition, supplementing plants with Nyjer (thistle) and sunflower seed feeders can help attract and support goldfinches in your garden year-round. Cleaning up old seed hulls and maintaining dry seed conditions helps prevent disease spread among visiting birds.

Together, planting these varieties and providing proper care will make your garden a magnet for goldfinches by offering them both food and habitat. By attracting goldfinches to your garden, you not only reward yourself but also support local pollinators and native greenery.

1. To enrich your home-and-garden lifestyle, consider planting perennials like Black-eyed Susan, Asters, and Goldenrod, which not only attract goldfinches but also provide seeds for them and nectar for pollinators.
2. For a vibrant decor in your garden, opt for annuals such as Sunflowers, Marigolds, Zinnias, and Cosmos, which offer colorful blooms and seeds that goldfinches love.
3. To create a haven for goldfinches and other pollinators, ensure your garden soil is suitable for plants like Sun Drops, Gaillardia, Scabiosa, Chicory, and Verbena, which thrive in well-drained soil and full sun.
4. To foster a thriving garden ecosystem, remember to incorporate native varieties of Thistle and Joe-Pye Weed, which offer seeds and down essential for goldfinch food and nesting material.
5. In coordination with your gardening efforts, provide Nyjer seed feeders and sunflower seeds to attract and support goldfinches year-round, and maintain a clean garden to prevent disease spread among visiting birds.

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