If you're planting flowers near bird feeders, consider marigolds. Birds feast on the seeds and the bugs that marigolds attract.
Do Birds Like Marigolds?
“Is it OK to plant marigolds near bird feeders?” asks Birds & Blooms reader Barbara J. Bricker of Wooster, Ohio.
Horticultural expert Melinda Myers says, “Marigolds (Tagetes spp., annual) are a favorite of gardeners, birds and insects. Various birds eat the marigold seeds, and the seeds and flower petals are often fed to chickens to increase their egg yolk color and boost their health.
Marigolds also work as a trap plant, which means they protect preferred plants or crops by attracting pests. These flowers also attract beneficial insects that, along with the pests, serve as a great source of protein in many birds’ diets.”
Calendula vs marigold: What’s the difference?
Do Birds Eat Marigold Seeds?
Birding experts Kenn and Kimberly Kaufman say, “There’s no reason to avoid planting marigolds near feeders. The pungent smell of these flowers is thought to repel deer, at least part of the time, but the smell won’t keep birds away. And after the marigolds have finished blooming, if you leave the dried seed heads on the plants, finches and other birds may come to eat the abundant small seeds.”
Free birdseed: Many of the seed-eating songbirds that stop by your feeders may also indulge in the seeds of these blooms. Common visitors include cardinals, grosbeaks, chickadees, titmice, finches, and more.
Next, learn why you should grow sunflowers to attract birds and pollinators.
About the Experts
Melinda Myers is the official gardening expert for Birds & Blooms. She is a TV/radio host, author and columnist who has written more than 20 gardening books. Melinda earned a master’s degree in horticulture from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Kenn and Kimberly Kaufman are the official bird experts for Birds & Blooms. They are the creators of the Kaufman Field Guide series and they lead birding trips all over the world.
