Rocky Mountain bee plant for birds in Manitoba
Nectar-rich in summer, seed for finches in fall. Native to Manitoba, where it feeds or shelters 42 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Cleome serrulata
- Native status
- Native in Manitoba
- Hardiness zones
- Canada 1a–3b
- What birds get from it
- seed, nectar
- Manitoba birds supported
- 42
- Nesting birds among them
- 36
Growing conditions in Manitoba
Continental, from prairie in the southwest to boreal forest and Hudson Bay tundra in the north.
Warm summers with a short, intense nesting season.
Manitoba birds that use Rocky Mountain bee plant
Year-round residents (12)
Black-capped Chickadee, Purple Finch, Evening Grosbeak, Pine Siskin, House Sparrow, Black-billed Magpie, Eurasian Collared-Dove, American Crow, Mallard, Brown-headed Cowbird, Canada Goose, Rock Pigeon
Summer breeders (24)
American Goldfinch, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Mourning Dove, Dark-eyed Junco, White-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Chipping Sparrow, Common Grackle, Red-winged Blackbird, Baltimore Oriole, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, White-crowned Sparrow, Fox Sparrow, Wood Duck, American Coot, Savannah Sparrow, Swamp Sparrow, Harris's 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
Very cold winters to −30°F.
Nesting season it supports in Manitoba
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 Manitoba
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.
Early catkins draw insects for arriving warblers and hummingbirds.
Frequently asked
Is Rocky Mountain bee plant native to Manitoba?
Yes. Rocky Mountain bee plant (Cleome serrulata) is recorded as native in Manitoba. Manitoba spans Canada 1a–3b.
What birds does Rocky Mountain bee plant attract in Manitoba?
In Manitoba, Rocky Mountain bee plant supports 42 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 Manitoba?
36 of those birds nest in Manitoba: 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 Manitoba?
Winter visitors Common Redpoll, American Tree Sparrow, Snow Bunting, Lapland Longspur, Common Redpoll, Hoary Redpoll use it in Manitoba during the cold months.
Sources
- USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
- VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Manitoba
- 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.