Rocky Mountain bee plant for birds in Kansas
Nectar-rich in summer, seed for finches in fall. Native to Kansas, where it feeds or shelters 54 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Cleome serrulata
- Native status
- Native in Kansas
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 5b–7a
- What birds get from it
- seed, nectar
- Kansas birds supported
- 54
- Nesting birds among them
- 40
Growing conditions in Kansas
Continental — humid tallgrass Flint Hills in the east to semi-arid shortgrass prairie in the west.
Hot summers above 95°F; western Kansas is dry, so water draws birds from far away.
Kansas birds that use Rocky Mountain bee plant
Year-round residents (23)
Northern Cardinal, Black-capped Chickadee, Carolina Chickadee, American Goldfinch, House Finch, Mourning Dove, Common Grackle, Red-winged Blackbird, House Sparrow, Black-billed Magpie, Eurasian Collared-Dove, American Crow, Wood Duck, Wild Turkey, Northern Bobwhite, Mallard, Eastern Meadowlark, Brown-headed Cowbird, Field Sparrow, Canada Goose, Horned Lark, Great-tailed Grackle, Rock Pigeon
Summer breeders (17)
Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Chipping Sparrow, Baltimore Oriole, Orchard Oriole, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Indigo Bunting, Painted Bunting, Bullock's Oriole, Lark Sparrow, American Coot, Savannah Sparrow, Vesper Sparrow, Dickcissel, Blue Grosbeak, Bobolink, Yellow-headed Blackbird, Brewer's Blackbird
Winter visitors (14)
Purple Finch, Dark-eyed Junco, White-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Pine Siskin, American Tree Sparrow, Spotted Towhee, White-crowned Sparrow, Fox Sparrow, Harris's Sparrow, Snow Bunting, Lapland Longspur, Hoary Redpoll, Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch
Cold, dry winters with strong wind; windbreaks and evergreens are prime roost cover.
Nesting season it supports in Kansas
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:
- Northern Cardinal — April–August
- Black-capped Chickadee — April–July
- Carolina Chickadee — April–June
- American Goldfinch — July–September
- House Finch — April–August
- Ruby-throated Hummingbird — May–August
- Mourning Dove — March–September
- Chipping Sparrow — April–July
- Common Grackle — April–June
- Red-winged Blackbird — April–July
Native plants to pair with Rocky Mountain bee plant in Kansas
Tubular flowers for hummingbirds and seed heads for finches.
Late nectar for insects and fall seed for sparrows.
Hosts hundreds of caterpillar species; spring flowers draw early insects.
Frequently asked
Is Rocky Mountain bee plant native to Kansas?
Yes. Rocky Mountain bee plant (Cleome serrulata) is recorded as native in Kansas. Kansas spans USDA 5b–7a.
What birds does Rocky Mountain bee plant attract in Kansas?
In Kansas, Rocky Mountain bee plant supports 54 backyard birds, including Northern Cardinal, Black-capped Chickadee, Carolina Chickadee, American Goldfinch, House Finch, Purple Finch.
Does Rocky Mountain bee plant help nesting birds in Kansas?
40 of those birds nest in Kansas: Northern Cardinal (April–August), Black-capped Chickadee (April–July), Carolina Chickadee (April–June), American Goldfinch (July–September).
Which winter birds use Rocky Mountain bee plant in Kansas?
Winter visitors Purple Finch, Dark-eyed Junco, White-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Pine Siskin, American Tree Sparrow, Spotted Towhee, White-crowned Sparrow, Fox Sparrow, Harris's Sparrow, Snow Bunting, Lapland Longspur, Hoary Redpoll, Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch use it in Kansas during the cold months.
Sources
- USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
- VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Kansas
- 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.