Rocky Mountain bee plant for birds in Minnesota
Nectar-rich in summer, seed for finches in fall. Native to Minnesota, where it feeds or shelters 47 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Cleome serrulata
- Native status
- Native in Minnesota
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 3a–5b
- What birds get from it
- seed, nectar
- Minnesota birds supported
- 47
- Nesting birds among them
- 41
Growing conditions in Minnesota
Continental, with very cold winters and warm summers; prairie in the west, boreal forest in the northeast.
A short, intense breeding season; most nesting runs May through July.
Minnesota birds that use Rocky Mountain bee plant
Year-round residents (23)
Northern Cardinal, Black-capped Chickadee, American Goldfinch, House Finch, Purple Finch, Mourning Dove, Dark-eyed Junco, Song Sparrow, Evening Grosbeak, Pine Siskin, House Sparrow, Eurasian Collared-Dove, American Crow, Wood Duck, Wild Turkey, Northern Bobwhite, Mallard, Eastern Meadowlark, Brown-headed Cowbird, Field Sparrow, Canada Goose, Horned Lark, Rock Pigeon
Summer breeders (18)
Ruby-throated Hummingbird, White-throated Sparrow, Chipping Sparrow, Common Grackle, Red-winged Blackbird, Baltimore Oriole, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Indigo Bunting, Eastern Towhee, Lark Sparrow, American Coot, Savannah Sparrow, Swamp Sparrow, Vesper Sparrow, Dickcissel, Bobolink, Yellow-headed Blackbird, Brewer's Blackbird
Winter visitors (6)
Common Redpoll, American Tree Sparrow, Snow Bunting, Lapland Longspur, Common Redpoll, Hoary Redpoll
Temperatures below 0°F are routine — heated water, suet and roost boxes are survival aids, not extras.
Nesting season it supports in Minnesota
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 — May–August
- Black-capped Chickadee — May–July
- American Goldfinch — July–September
- House Finch — April–August
- Purple Finch — May–July
- Ruby-throated Hummingbird — June–August
- Mourning Dove — April–September
- Dark-eyed Junco — June–July
- White-throated Sparrow — June–July
- Song Sparrow — May–August
Native plants to pair with Rocky Mountain bee plant in Minnesota
Tall magenta spikes are a key northern hummingbird flower.
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 Minnesota?
Yes. Rocky Mountain bee plant (Cleome serrulata) is recorded as native in Minnesota. Minnesota spans USDA 3a–5b.
What birds does Rocky Mountain bee plant attract in Minnesota?
In Minnesota, Rocky Mountain bee plant supports 47 backyard birds, including Northern Cardinal, Black-capped Chickadee, American Goldfinch, House Finch, Purple Finch, Ruby-throated Hummingbird.
Does Rocky Mountain bee plant help nesting birds in Minnesota?
41 of those birds nest in Minnesota: Northern Cardinal (May–August), Black-capped Chickadee (May–July), American Goldfinch (July–September), House Finch (April–August).
Which winter birds use Rocky Mountain bee plant in Minnesota?
Winter visitors Common Redpoll, American Tree Sparrow, Snow Bunting, Lapland Longspur, Common Redpoll, Hoary Redpoll use it in Minnesota during the cold months.
Sources
- USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
- VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Minnesota
- 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.