Rocky Mountain bee plant for birds in Colorado
Nectar-rich in summer, seed for finches in fall. Native to Colorado, where it feeds or shelters 49 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Cleome serrulata
- Native status
- Native in Colorado
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 3a–7b
- What birds get from it
- seed, nectar
- Colorado birds supported
- 49
- Nesting birds among them
- 46
Growing conditions in Colorado
Semi-arid high plains in the east and the Rocky Mountains through the center, with most backyards between 5,000 and 7,000 ft.
Warm, dry days and cool nights; afternoon storms are common in July and August.
Colorado birds that use Rocky Mountain bee plant
Year-round residents (29)
Black-capped Chickadee, American Goldfinch, House Finch, Mourning Dove, Dark-eyed Junco, Song Sparrow, Red-winged Blackbird, Evening Grosbeak, Pine Siskin, House Sparrow, Black-billed Magpie, Lesser Goldfinch, Cassin's Finch, Spotted Towhee, Canyon Towhee, Gambel's Quail, Eurasian Collared-Dove, American Crow, Wild Turkey, Mallard, Brown-headed Cowbird, Black-throated Sparrow, Pinyon Jay, Canada Goose, Horned Lark, Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch, Brewer's Blackbird, Great-tailed Grackle, Rock Pigeon
Summer breeders (17)
Chipping Sparrow, Common Grackle, Indigo Bunting, Black-chinned Hummingbird, Broad-tailed Hummingbird, White-crowned Sparrow, Fox Sparrow, Black-headed Grosbeak, Lazuli Bunting, Bullock's Oriole, Lark Sparrow, Green-tailed Towhee, American Coot, Savannah Sparrow, Vesper Sparrow, Bobolink, Yellow-headed Blackbird
Winter visitors (3)
Cold snaps alternate with sunny, dry thaws; heated baths are valuable because natural water freezes nightly.
Nesting season it supports in Colorado
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 — April–July
- American Goldfinch — July–September
- House Finch — April–August
- Mourning Dove — March–September
- Dark-eyed Junco — May–July
- Song Sparrow — April–August
- Chipping Sparrow — April–July
- Common Grackle — April–June
- Red-winged Blackbird — April–July
- Evening Grosbeak — June–July
Native plants to pair with Rocky Mountain bee plant in Colorado
Tubular flowers for hummingbirds and seed heads for finches.
Tall magenta spikes are a key northern hummingbird flower.
Late nectar for insects and fall seed for sparrows.
Native bunchgrass; winter seed and ground cover for sparrows and juncos.
Frequently asked
Is Rocky Mountain bee plant native to Colorado?
Yes. Rocky Mountain bee plant (Cleome serrulata) is recorded as native in Colorado. Colorado spans USDA 3a–7b.
What birds does Rocky Mountain bee plant attract in Colorado?
In Colorado, Rocky Mountain bee plant supports 49 backyard birds, including Black-capped Chickadee, American Goldfinch, House Finch, Mourning Dove, Dark-eyed Junco, Song Sparrow.
Does Rocky Mountain bee plant help nesting birds in Colorado?
46 of those birds nest in Colorado: Black-capped Chickadee (April–July), American Goldfinch (July–September), House Finch (April–August), Mourning Dove (March–September).
Which winter birds use Rocky Mountain bee plant in Colorado?
Winter visitors American Tree Sparrow, Snow Bunting, Lapland Longspur use it in Colorado during the cold months.
Sources
- USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
- VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Colorado
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023)
- 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.