Have I ever mentioned how much I like coneflowers?
I have a few different cultivars, but the hardiest and most prolific ones in my garden are the native species Echinacea purpurea.
They self-seed and multiply each year in different parts of my garden, but they especially love my little sidewalk garden at the front of the house.
Butterflies have been scarce this year, but I can always count on the coneflowers to attract any butterflies that might be in the area.
As soon as they begin to bloom, the butterflies suddenly appear, as if by magic.
Butterflies like the large flowers for "landing pads," a nice spot to rest for a bit and get a snack, do a little sunbathing, and maybe even meet some new friends.
Butterflies aren't the only creatures attracted to coneflowers.
Most times of the day, this swath of coneflowers is swarming with bumblebees!
Other bees enjoy them, too.
There is plenty of room for two to share the pollen!
I was so excited to see what I thought was a Monarch one day. But after posting this on Facebook, I was told this was actually a Viceroy--see the tell-tale horizontal line on its hind wing?
But I finally saw the real deal this week--my first Monarch sighting of the year!
I hope to see more as well as other butterfly friends--there are plenty of coneflowers to share!
Have I mentioned before how much I love coneflowers? Yes, I probably have--and more than once. But every June and July when they bloom, I fall in love all over again.
Next week is the annual Bloggers' Fling in Minneapolis. I was really looking forward to going, especially since I spent my first two years of college in the area and enjoyed going to "the Cities" whenever I could. Unfortunately, however, I had a conflict with a previous commitment--I'll be in D.C. with my daughter next week. To my friends who are going to the Fling, I'll miss re-connecting with you, but enjoy your time in one of my favorite cities in the Midwest!
I love coneflowers too, but unfortunately, so do my resident woodchucks! For years, I had one in the rock garden which would optimistically start to grow each year, and I would get very excited. Then, as soon as it had a bud, it would get devoured! The poor thing finally gave up completely and I haven't seen it at all in a couple of years. So I will just enjoy your beautiful pictures! That is an awesome patch of Echinacea you have there!---Kimberley
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kimberley!. I don't have woodchucks, but I do have other critters including, apparently, voles. I think they attacked the stand of coneflowers as well as other plants in my roadside garden. I have fewer there than usual this year.
DeleteWhat can be finer than a bloom that delights pollinators? Marvelous coneflower photos!
ReplyDeleteMy feelings exactly, Sarah. I have been planting more and more different natives for the pollinators, but the coneflowers seem to draw them in as much as any other plant.
DeleteBeautiful images!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Dorothy. I think the large and flat flowers make it easier to photograph coneflowers and their visitors--they tend to linger longer.
DeleteLove your photos, Rose. Echinacea grows in my garden but it isn't self-seeding because of frost and I sow it every spring.
ReplyDeleteHave a nice weekend!
Nadezda, we have cold winters, too, but the Echinacea comes through just fine. I have so many seedlings in the spring I pull some out and give away what I can!
DeleteI love coneflowers too. I have a few. They are in too much shade but are valiantly trying to bloom, grow and prosper. One of these days I hope to finde lots of butterflies and bees on mine. Maybe I should put some out in the sunnier spots I have. Hmmmmm I see you have poppy seed heads too. That looks exciting to me. I can't seem to get them to grow here. Enjoy your time in DC.
ReplyDeleteI do think coneflowers much prefer full sun. I have no idea how the poppies got in this garden area:) I scatter some seeds over the snow every year in late winter, but I'm not sure I need to--lots of volunteers here!
DeleteGorgeous :-) I have coneflower-envy. All of mine in various places have died. They're supposed to be drought-tolerant, but I guess our road is named "Sand Prairie" for a reason. I finally planted a new one in a raised bed this spring, with better soil. I have high hopes.
ReplyDeleteCassi, I've had more trouble with too much water for my coneflowers. Some years when we've gotten flooding in the spring, the coneflowers in my roadside garden have been drowned out. The Echinacea purpurea do the best for me; the newer hybrids not so much.
DeleteGreat shots of the butterflies and bees!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Gardener! They're much easier to photograph on the coneflowers than most flowers, since they tend to linger longer on the flat rays.
DeleteOh my goodness, you have amazing patches of Echinacea! Wow! Great photos of all the pollinators, too. I'm going to go back and look at all the amazing captures. We'll miss you at The Fling!
ReplyDeleteYes, I keep thinking of re-doing this flowerbed for more variety, Beth, but I just can't pull out more than a few coneflowers. I am really going to miss seeing everyone at the Fling--I even thought about coming late, but decided I'd probably be too worn out from traveling to enjoy everything. Enjoy Minneapolis!
DeleteSo stunning to see your field of Echinacea. I love it. I tried this plant so many time but it does'nt want to grow in my little garden.
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful time with your daughter Rose.
Marijke, I have a friend in the UK who's also had problems growing coneflowers. They're a native here, so I'm sure that's why they do well for me. On the other hand, I can't grow all the beautiful roses you do!
DeleteEr........ yes, I think you have mentioned your love of cone flowers!
ReplyDeleteI do love the way you've captured the insect life, who obviously love cone flowers too!
I wonder what we call them over here? I can't recall that I've seen Cone Flowers in any garden centre.
I see the lady above this comment says they're Echinacea. I believe the slugs love them and can chomp their way through a plant to the roots over night! (My son had some!)
Maggie x
Ha,ha, Maggie, you've probably read this here many times:) But it's true, next to early spring when everything bursts into bloom, this is my favorite time in the garden. I'm not sure if there is another name for Echinacea in the UK, but I have a friend who lives in Kent who has tried and tried to grow them without much success. It's a native here, so that's probably why it does so well in the Midwest U.S.
DeleteVery exciting to see a Monarch! I just had my first sighting this past week too! I love coneflowers, and they do quite well alongside my walkway as well. I've been wondering at the lack of butterflies this year. I feel we've had fewer than normal here, too. I wonder if the infestations of invasive winter moths and gypsy moths have hurt them, as the moths have been eating up all the leaves.
ReplyDeleteSeeing the first Monarch is always exciting, Indie! I don't know why some years there are fewer butterflies than other years. But I suspect you're right, both lack of food or harsh winter conditions could certainly affect their numbers.
DeleteSuch beautiful photos, Rose. I love the coneflowers and have a number of varieties too. Mine never multiply like the ones you have shown, but then I don't have that kind of space either. They are great for insects as you have shown.
ReplyDeleteI find the native Echinacea do much better for me, Donna. The others either don't thrive or seem to interbreed with the natives, so I've given up on planting any fancy cultivars and let nature take its course. I think it's the large flowers that give the insects room to rest for awhile that makes them easier to photograph for me.
DeleteWhat an absolutely beautiful patch of coneflowers. Certainly one of the best plants for butterflies and goldfinches. So sad I don't grow them any more because of aster yellows.
ReplyDeleteI haven't noticed too many goldfinches on the coneflowers yet, Jason, but I know they will find them soon. Many people have mentioned aster yellows, but so far--fingers crossed--it hasn't been a problem here.
DeleteBeautiful zoom on this energazing orange landing pads.
ReplyDeleteNext year I would definitely plant some Echinace in my garden!
I hope they do well for you, Ekolandia! And thanks for stopping by to visit.
DeleteYour echinacea are gorgeous and the way I wish mine looked for more than a couple of weeks. How do you keep the bloom cycle going a little longer? Mine are slightly shaded by a big, sprawling Ghislaine de Feligonde rose bush and a birdbath, I deadhead and feed with MooPoo from Annie Haven. They are the old fashioned variety. I'm in zone 5, with HOT summers in NE Washington state. Your photos make me want to relocate the peonies lining my walkway and put in a mass of coneflowers! So friendly and welcoming!
ReplyDeleteAnnie, I don't do much deadheading, but that's the best way to keep the bloom cycle going. After a few weeks, mine start looking pretty ratty, but then the goldfinches come, and I enjoy seeing them so much, I can't bring myself to cutting them back very much. I tried to return your visit, but couldn't find a link to your blog; so sorry! I'm in zone 5, and we have very hot summers, too--especially this year!
DeleteSo thoughtful of you to try to return my visit, but I do not have a blog. However, I'm an avid garden blog reader. The few coneflowers I have grow up through a sprawling rose with clusters of small peachy yellow blooms. I would like to increase the coneflower population. I will follow your advice and hope to see more next year.
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ReplyDeleteI think you are in the perfect area for the coneflowers--rich soil, open area so there's no mildew problem and inviting to pollinators, and it must be a great climate for them. I've finally begun dabbling in them in my garden this year but they aren't the typical ones. I've misplaced the labels for them, though, so I can't remember their names. I bought them at the local farmer's market last spring so I'm going to locate the man who sold them to me and ask him. Like you, I have noticed fewer butterflies so far this summer. Maybe all these storms that have sweeping through have thrown them off course or delayed their usual migration pattern.
ReplyDeleteGood to hear from you again, W2W! I see you have posted again, and I'll have to stop by after this. I think you're right that this is just the perfect area for coneflowers. I'm hoping we'll see more butterflies as the summer goes on.
DeleteWonderful bug and butterfly photos!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Liz! I enjoy seeing all the bumblebees and am thrilled when another butterfly comes to visit.
DeleteYour coneflowers, your wonderful butterflies and insects are a joy to see in these photo's.
ReplyDeleteI can quite understand your love for these blooms.
I hope you've enjoyed this month of July so far ...
All the best Jan
I adore coneflowers too Rose.....and oh to see butterflies....I have seen but one here and no monarchs.
ReplyDeleteJust wonderful photographs, especially the bees and butterflies. I also love a big patch of coneflowers, but I have stayed away from them because of aster yellows.
ReplyDelete