do birds eat zinnia seeds in winter

Spring Flowers for Birds

Golden Groundsel (Packera aurea, Zones 3-9): The native golden-yellow flowers of golden groundsel are repellant to troublesome garden critters like deer and rabbits, but magnetic for pollinators and birds. Their golden-yellow clusters of daisies attract lots of pollinators (some of which birds eat) and brighten partially sunny to shaded beds and look great in woodland gardens. Flowering may start in mid-spring and continue to late spring. Leave the fluffy white seed heads for the birds to enjoy! Plants may spread, so give them space to move.

do birds eat zinnia seeds in winter

Cornflower (Centaurea cyanus): An old-fashioned annual that blooms from May to July, cornflowers are also referred to as “bachelor buttons.” Although bright blue is the most common color of cornflowers, some varieties may also have blue-purple, dark purple, white, or pink flowers. These flowering plants are good for gardeners with poor soil because birds prefer slender environments. Cornflowers respond to pruning by producing more blooms, just like other annuals. Make sure to allow the flowers to go to seed as soon as possible, as seen from the viewpoint of a bird. The seed that the birds drop or leave behind will sprout again the next year.

Cut the seed heads off of the stems once they have dried, then store them in a metal container to keep mice out. In winter, you can decorate your yard with sunflower faces. After attaching one to a tree or feeder, watch for the chickadees, cardinals, goldfinches, and blue jays to take a flutter at it for approximately five minutes.

Growing sunflowers on your own at home can be a lot of fun. The crop will delight the birds, and you will appreciate the birds. Plant your sunflowers (in full sun) as close as possible to your dining room table or other areas where you spend time at home. Watching a chickadee land on top of a sunflower and bend over to remove the seeds will liven up your lunch.

Sunflower bud: To preserve some of your sunflowers for the winter, wrap each seed head in a paper grocery sack and fasten it to the stem. To prevent the hungry birds—who know exactly where your sunflowers are—from forcing them to peck through the paper, leave part of the flower heads exposed.

Actually, your own garden’s zinnia patch is an excellent location for close-up views and butterfly photography. See individual color scales on a butterfly’s wings by taking a stroll through your zinnia patch on a summer day with a close-up binocular, like the Pentax Papilio, which focuses as close as 18 inches!

FAQ

Do birds eat zinnia seeds in the winter?

First you get the blossoms, and then in winter your garden will bloom again with gold of finches and red of cardinals. Win, win! Birds also love zinnias for their seeds.

Do birds eat flower seeds in winter?

Nuthatches, towhees, goldfinches, cardinals, and chickadees all feed on the seeds of aster species throughout the winter, says Lenihan. Their stems can host stem-nesting bees, and the caterpillars of the pearl crescent butterfly overwinter at the base of the smooth aster (Symphyotrichum laeve).

What is the best seed to feed birds in the winter?

What bird seed should you offer birds in the winter? There are several options: Black-oil Sunflower Seed – Easily the best, all-around bird seed, black-oil sunflower seed will draw in a huge variety of species thanks to the fact that it’s packed with protein.

What birds are attracted to zinnias?

Zinnias. One of the best annuals to grow in a cutting garden, zinnia is also highly favored for bird and butterfly gardens. Hummingbirds and butterflies are highly attracted to this plant’s colorful blooms. Goldfinches love to eat the flower’s seeds even before the petals are spent.