Rocky Mountain bee plant for birds in Alberta
Nectar-rich in summer, seed for finches in fall. Native to Alberta, where it feeds or shelters 45 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Cleome serrulata
- Native status
- Native in Alberta
- Hardiness zones
- Canada 2a–4b
- What birds get from it
- seed, nectar
- Alberta birds supported
- 45
- Nesting birds among them
- 39
Growing conditions in Alberta
Continental — prairie in the southeast, aspen parkland in the center, boreal forest in the north and the Rockies in the west.
Warm, sunny summers with long days.
Alberta birds that use Rocky Mountain bee plant
Year-round residents (14)
Black-capped Chickadee, Purple Finch, Dark-eyed Junco, Evening Grosbeak, Pine Siskin, House Sparrow, Black-billed Magpie, Eurasian Collared-Dove, American Crow, Mallard, Brown-headed Cowbird, Canada Goose, Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch, Rock Pigeon
Summer breeders (25)
American Goldfinch, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Mourning Dove, White-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Chipping Sparrow, Common Grackle, Red-winged Blackbird, Baltimore Oriole, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Rufous Hummingbird, Spotted Towhee, White-crowned Sparrow, Fox Sparrow, Lazuli Bunting, Bullock's Oriole, American Coot, Savannah Sparrow, Swamp Sparrow, Vesper Sparrow, Horned Lark, Bobolink, Yellow-headed Blackbird, Brewer's Blackbird, Rusty Blackbird
Winter visitors (6)
Common Redpoll, American Tree Sparrow, Snow Bunting, Lapland Longspur, Common Redpoll, Hoary Redpoll
Cold winters broken by chinook thaws in the south.
Nesting season it supports in Alberta
Plants that feed adults and host caterpillars matter most while nestlings are in the nest. Local nesting windows for birds that use Rocky Mountain bee plant:
- Black-capped Chickadee — May–July
- American Goldfinch — August–September
- Purple Finch — June–July
- Ruby-throated Hummingbird — June–August
- Mourning Dove — April–September
- Dark-eyed Junco — June–July
- White-throated Sparrow — June–July
- Song Sparrow — May–August
- Chipping Sparrow — May–July
- Common Grackle — May–June
Native plants to pair with Rocky Mountain bee plant in Alberta
Tubular flowers for hummingbirds and seed heads for finches.
Tall magenta spikes are a key northern hummingbird flower.
Early catkins draw insects for arriving warblers and hummingbirds.
Frequently asked
Is Rocky Mountain bee plant native to Alberta?
Yes. Rocky Mountain bee plant (Cleome serrulata) is recorded as native in Alberta. Alberta spans Canada 2a–4b.
What birds does Rocky Mountain bee plant attract in Alberta?
In Alberta, Rocky Mountain bee plant supports 45 backyard birds, including Black-capped Chickadee, American Goldfinch, Purple Finch, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Mourning Dove, Dark-eyed Junco.
Does Rocky Mountain bee plant help nesting birds in Alberta?
39 of those birds nest in Alberta: Black-capped Chickadee (May–July), American Goldfinch (August–September), Purple Finch (June–July), Ruby-throated Hummingbird (June–August).
Which winter birds use Rocky Mountain bee plant in Alberta?
Winter visitors Common Redpoll, American Tree Sparrow, Snow Bunting, Lapland Longspur, Common Redpoll, Hoary Redpoll use it in Alberta during the cold months.
Sources
- USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
- VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Alberta
- Plant Hardiness Zones of Canada — Natural Resources Canada
- 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.