Cardinals are drawn to gardens with flowers that provide both visual appeal and sustenance. Bright, especially red, blooms can catch the attention of these colorful birds, as they are naturally attracted to colors that match their own vivid red feathers.
The structure of flowers plays a crucial role in attracting cardinals; those that bear seeds are particularly enticing. These birds feed on seeds, which become available as flowers transition from bloom to seed production, offering a natural food supply.
A garden designed with a variety of flowering plants blooming at different times of the year can ensure a steady presence of cardinals. Such a garden not only provides food but also offers shelter and nesting opportunities, making it a year-round haven for these birds.
Flowers That Attract Cardinals
Sunflowers (Helianthus annuus)
Sunflowers are perhaps one of the most effective plants for attracting cardinals due to their large, seed-filled heads. Cardinals can easily perch on these tall plants and peck at the seeds, which are both plentiful and nutritious. Allowing sunflowers to mature and dry on the stalk provides a natural feeder for cardinals throughout the fall.
Coneflowers (Echinacea purpurea)
Coneflowers, especially the purple varieties, are not only visually appealing but also serve as a great food source for cardinals. After the flowers bloom, they produce seed heads that are perfect for cardinals to feed on. These perennials bloom from late spring to early fall, offering a long feeding season.
Zinnias (Zinnia spp.)
Zinnias offer a burst of color in the garden while also attracting cardinals. When the flowers go to seed, they provide a food source that cardinals readily accept. Zinnia varieties with large, flat centers are especially beneficial as they make it easier for cardinals to access the seeds.
Coreopsis (Coreopsis spp.)
Known for their bright, daisy-like flowers, coreopsis plants produce seeds that cardinals enjoy. These flowers bloom for an extended period, from late spring through to fall, ensuring a steady supply of food. Their cheerful, yellow blooms also add aesthetic appeal to any garden.
Marigolds (Tagetes spp.)
Marigolds are renowned for their pest-repellent properties, but they’re also great for attracting cardinals once they’ve gone to seed. The bright colors of marigolds can lure cardinals to your garden, and the seeds are a bonus food source.
Nasturtiums (Tropaeolum majus)
Nasturtiums offer both beauty and utility; their vibrant flowers and leaves are edible, but when left to produce seeds, they become a dining spot for cardinals. These plants can sprawl or climb, providing cover as well as food.
Purple Majesty Millet (Pennisetum glaucum ‘Purple Majesty’)
This ornamental grass grows tall with striking purple foliage and produces seed heads that cardinals love. Its height not only provides seeds but also a perching place, making it an excellent choice for attracting these birds.
Scarlet Sage (Salvia splendens)
With its bright red flowers, scarlet sage is particularly attractive to cardinals due to its color. While the flowers themselves are not the food source, the plants produce seeds that cardinals will feed on once the blooming season ends.
Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius)
Safflower plants produce spiny, orange-yellow flowers that turn into seeds cardinals find appealing. Unlike some other seeds, safflower is less attractive to many other birds, making it somewhat selective for cardinals, helping to ensure they have their fill.
Sweet Peas (Lathyrus odoratus)
Sweet peas are climbers that produce beautiful, scented flowers. When allowed to mature, they produce seeds that can attract cardinals. Their vining nature also offers potential nesting spots, adding to their attractiveness.
Elderberries (Sambucus spp.)
Although primarily known for their berries, elderberry plants also produce seeds that cardinals enjoy. The dense foliage can provide shelter, and the berries offer an additional food source, particularly in the late summer and fall.
Cosmos (Cosmos bipinnatus)
Cosmos flowers are easy to grow, providing an array of colors and a long blooming period. After blooming, they produce seeds that cardinals can easily access. The plants’ height also allows for perching, making them a dual-purpose attraction for cardinals.
Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)
With their prominent, dark centers surrounded by bright yellow petals, Black-Eyed Susans are not only a visual treat but also a seed producer that cardinals can’t resist. These flowers bloom from summer into fall, providing a long season of seed availability.
Goldenrod (Solidago spp.)
Goldenrod’s bright yellow plumes are a late-season bloomer, offering seeds when many other plants have stopped. Cardinals are particularly drawn to these plants in autumn, making goldenrod an excellent addition for late-season bird feeding.
Globe Amaranth (Gomphrena globosa)
This plant offers globe-shaped flowers in various colors, but it’s the seeds that interest cardinals. Globe amaranth is also known for its longevity as a cut flower, but in the garden, it serves as a food source for birds.
Bachelor’s Button (Centaurea cyanus)
Bachelor’s Buttons, or cornflowers, provide blue, purple, or pink flowers that turn into seeds cardinals enjoy. They’re easy to grow and can reseed themselves, ensuring year after year of attraction for cardinals.
Cleome (Cleome hassleriana)
Also known as spider flowers, cleome’s unique appearance includes long, spidery stamens. They attract cardinals with their seeds, and their height provides perching opportunities.
Larkspur (Consolida ajacis)
Larkspur’s tall spires of blue, pink, or white flowers are not only ornamental but also produce seeds that cardinals feed on. These plants are annuals that self-seed, offering a yearly return of both beauty and bird food.
Phlox (Phlox paniculata)
Phlox plants, especially the tall garden varieties, bloom with clusters of colorful flowers. Once these flowers fade, they produce seeds that are a magnet for cardinals, particularly through late summer into fall.
Bee Balm (Monarda didyma)
Bee Balm’s vibrant flowers in shades of red, pink, and purple not only attract bees but also cardinals once the seeds mature. Its long blooming period means it can provide food for much of the growing season.
Verbena (Verbena spp.)
Verbena offers clusters of tiny flowers that eventually turn into seeds. It blooms for an extended period, supporting a variety of pollinators and providing food for cardinals when the flowers go to seed.
Heliopsis (Heliopsis helianthoides)
Often called false sunflower, heliopsis produces sunny yellow flowers similar to sunflowers but with fewer seeds. However, these seeds are still a draw for cardinals, and the plant’s long blooming season is a bonus.
Joe-Pye Weed (Eutrochium purpureum)
This native plant with its large, mauve-pink flower clusters not only attracts butterflies but also produces seeds that cardinals find appealing. Its late summer to fall blooming makes it a valuable late-season food source.
Asters (Symphyotrichum spp.)
Asters bloom late in the season, offering a burst of color and a source of seeds for cardinals. With varieties in pinks, purples, and whites, asters can provide both an aesthetic and functional benefit to your garden.