Purple coneflower for birds in Missouri
Leave seed heads up through winter for goldfinches. Native to Missouri, where it feeds or shelters 49 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Echinacea purpurea
- Native status
- Native in Missouri
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 5b–7b
- What birds get from it
- seed
- Missouri birds supported
- 49
- Nesting birds among them
- 38
Growing conditions in Missouri
Humid continental, from the Ozark Plateau in the south to prairie and river floodplains in the north.
Hot, humid summers.
Missouri birds that use Purple coneflower
Year-round residents (25)
Northern Cardinal, Black-capped Chickadee, Carolina Chickadee, American Goldfinch, House Finch, Mourning Dove, Song Sparrow, Common Grackle, Red-winged Blackbird, Eastern Towhee, House Sparrow, Eurasian Collared-Dove, American Crow, Wood Duck, Wild Turkey, Northern Bobwhite, Mallard, Eastern Meadowlark, Brown-headed Cowbird, Field Sparrow, Canada Goose, Horned Lark, Great-tailed Grackle, Rock Pigeon, Eurasian Tree Sparrow
Summer breeders (13)
Chipping Sparrow, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Indigo Bunting, Lark Sparrow, American Coot, Savannah Sparrow, Swamp Sparrow, Vesper Sparrow, Dickcissel, Blue Grosbeak, Bobolink, Yellow-headed Blackbird, Brewer's Blackbird
Winter visitors (11)
Purple Finch, Dark-eyed Junco, White-throated Sparrow, Pine Siskin, American Tree Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Fox Sparrow, Harris's Sparrow, Snow Bunting, Lapland Longspur, Hoary Redpoll
Cold winters with variable snow; ice storms can shut down natural food for days.
Nesting season it supports in Missouri
Plants that feed adults and host caterpillars matter most while nestlings are in the nest. Local nesting windows for birds that use Purple coneflower:
- Northern Cardinal — April–August
- Black-capped Chickadee — April–July
- Carolina Chickadee — April–June
- American Goldfinch — July–September
- House Finch — April–August
- Mourning Dove — March–September
- Song Sparrow — April–August
- Chipping Sparrow — April–July
- Common Grackle — April–June
- Red-winged Blackbird — April–July
Native plants to pair with Purple coneflower in Missouri
Tubular flowers for hummingbirds and seed heads for finches.
Late nectar for insects and fall seed for sparrows.
Native bunchgrass; winter seed and ground cover for sparrows and juncos.
Frequently asked
Is Purple coneflower native to Missouri?
Yes. Purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) is recorded as native in Missouri. Missouri spans USDA 5b–7b.
What birds does Purple coneflower attract in Missouri?
In Missouri, Purple coneflower supports 49 backyard birds, including Northern Cardinal, Black-capped Chickadee, Carolina Chickadee, American Goldfinch, House Finch, Purple Finch.
Does Purple coneflower help nesting birds in Missouri?
38 of those birds nest in Missouri: Northern Cardinal (April–August), Black-capped Chickadee (April–July), Carolina Chickadee (April–June), American Goldfinch (July–September).
Which winter birds use Purple coneflower in Missouri?
Winter visitors Purple Finch, Dark-eyed Junco, White-throated Sparrow, Pine Siskin, American Tree Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Fox Sparrow, Harris's Sparrow, Snow Bunting, Lapland Longspur, Hoary Redpoll use it in Missouri during the cold months.
Sources
- USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
- VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Missouri
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023)
- Audubon Native Plants Database
Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.