Perch Supply
Oregon · Perennial

California fuchsia for birds in Oregon

Late-season red flowers when other nectar is scarce. Native to Oregon, where it feeds or shelters 4 backyard bird species.

Scientific name
Epilobium canum
Native status
Native in Oregon
Hardiness zones
USDA 4b–9b
What birds get from it
nectar
Oregon birds supported
4
Nesting birds among them
4

Growing conditions in Oregon

Marine west-coast climate west of the Cascades; high desert to the east.

Dry summers west of the Cascades; hot days in the high desert.

Oregon birds that use California fuchsia

Year-round residents (1)

Anna's Hummingbird

Nesting season it supports in Oregon

Plants that feed adults and host caterpillars matter most while nestlings are in the nest. Local nesting windows for birds that use California fuchsia:

  • Anna's Hummingbird — December–May
  • Black-chinned Hummingbird — April–July
  • Rufous Hummingbird — May–June
  • Bullock's Oriole — May–July

Native plants to pair with California fuchsia in Oregon

Wild bergamot
Monarda fistulosa · Perennial

Tubular flowers for hummingbirds and seed heads for finches.

Golden currant
Ribes aureum · Shrub

Early yellow flowers for hummingbirds, then summer fruit.

Rocky Mountain bee plant
Cleome serrulata · Perennial

Nectar-rich in summer, seed for finches in fall.

Scarlet gilia
Ipomopsis aggregata · Perennial

Red trumpets for Broad-tailed and Rufous hummingbirds.

Red-flowering currant
Ribes sanguineum · Shrub

Early spring blooms fuel returning Rufous Hummingbirds.

Oregon grape
Mahonia aquifolium · Shrub

Evergreen with yellow spring flowers and blue summer fruit.

Frequently asked

Is California fuchsia native to Oregon?

Yes. California fuchsia (Epilobium canum) is recorded as native in Oregon. Oregon spans USDA 4b–9b.

What birds does California fuchsia attract in Oregon?

In Oregon, California fuchsia supports 4 backyard birds, including Anna's Hummingbird, Black-chinned Hummingbird, Rufous Hummingbird, Bullock's Oriole.

Does California fuchsia help nesting birds in Oregon?

4 of those birds nest in Oregon: Anna's Hummingbird (December–May), Black-chinned Hummingbird (April–July), Rufous Hummingbird (May–June), Bullock's Oriole (May–July).

Sources

  1. USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
  2. VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
  3. eBird region overview and bar charts — Oregon
  4. USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023)
  5. 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.