Goldfinches – Tendrils

Ornaments On A Yucca

I’ve been paying close attention to my Yuccas the past week or so, since they have sent up spears, looking like asparagus spears. These Yucca spears are actually spikes with buds. I’ve got two plants, one is Yucca gloriosa which has just started blooming. The other, this one, is Yucca filamentosa, which will begin blooming shortly.

Yesterday afternoon in one of my frequent checks, I got quite a treat. Several Goldfinches decided to entertain me. They looked as if they were decorations on a Christmas tree jumping from one branch to another, uncertain on which would make the best presentation.

These blooms are special to me. The state flower of New Mexico. During the time I lived out there they were blooming all over. Maybe the Yuccas are special to Goldfinches as well. Maybe.

Purple Coneflower

Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea). Native to central to southeastern United States. Pollinators love the flowers. Leave the seedheads over the winter for Goldfinches who will gather for a snack of seeds. And then for the math/nature nut there is the Fibonacci spiral of the disk florets that become those seeds.

Feeding the Birds

Say, “Feeding the birds” and one thinks immediately of going to the store to get shelled peanuts, hulled sunflower seeds, mixing up a batch of suet, and then getting all the required feeders.

But the Goldfinches (Spinus tristis) that are coming to my yard right now are seldom visiting the feeders.

Instead they’re enjoying seedheads, part of the past history of my gardens.

So simple. Just don’t cut back the flowers at the end of the season. They provide food for the birds. This will create the perfect garden look. The perfect look to attract birds.

Leaving the flowers to become seeds to please the birds requires no effort at all. But this last indulgence does take a bit of energy. They need water too, with a water warmer. Now, color these birds HAPPY.