Purple coneflower for birds in West Virginia
Leave seed heads up through winter for goldfinches. Native to West Virginia, where it feeds or shelters 39 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Echinacea purpurea
- Native status
- Native in West Virginia
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 5b–7a
- What birds get from it
- seed
- West Virginia birds supported
- 39
- Nesting birds among them
- 31
Growing conditions in West Virginia
Humid continental Appalachian state with high ridges and deep river valleys.
Warm, humid summers; high ridges host northern breeders.
West Virginia birds that use Purple coneflower
Year-round residents (22)
Northern Cardinal, Carolina Chickadee, American Goldfinch, House Finch, Mourning Dove, Dark-eyed Junco, Song Sparrow, Common Grackle, Red-winged Blackbird, Eastern Towhee, House Sparrow, American Crow, Wood Duck, Wild Turkey, Northern Bobwhite, Mallard, Eastern Meadowlark, Brown-headed Cowbird, Field Sparrow, Canada Goose, Horned Lark, Rock Pigeon
Summer breeders (9)
Chipping Sparrow, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Indigo Bunting, Lark Sparrow, American Coot, Savannah Sparrow, Vesper Sparrow, Dickcissel, Blue Grosbeak
Winter visitors (8)
Purple Finch, White-throated Sparrow, Pine Siskin, American Tree Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Fox Sparrow, Swamp Sparrow, Rusty Blackbird
Snowy winters at elevation; valleys milder.
Nesting season it supports in West Virginia
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
- Carolina Chickadee — April–June
- American Goldfinch — July–September
- House Finch — April–August
- Mourning Dove — March–September
- Dark-eyed Junco — May–July
- 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 West Virginia
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.
Hosts hundreds of caterpillar species; spring flowers draw early insects.
Frequently asked
Is Purple coneflower native to West Virginia?
Yes. Purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) is recorded as native in West Virginia. West Virginia spans USDA 5b–7a.
What birds does Purple coneflower attract in West Virginia?
In West Virginia, Purple coneflower supports 39 backyard birds, including Northern Cardinal, Carolina Chickadee, American Goldfinch, House Finch, Purple Finch, Mourning Dove.
Does Purple coneflower help nesting birds in West Virginia?
31 of those birds nest in West Virginia: Northern Cardinal (April–August), Carolina Chickadee (April–June), American Goldfinch (July–September), House Finch (April–August).
Which winter birds use Purple coneflower in West Virginia?
Winter visitors Purple Finch, White-throated Sparrow, Pine Siskin, American Tree Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Fox Sparrow, Swamp Sparrow, Rusty Blackbird use it in West Virginia during the cold months.
Sources
- USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
- VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
- eBird region overview and bar charts — West Virginia
- 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.