Rocky Mountain bee plant for birds in New Mexico
Nectar-rich in summer, seed for finches in fall. Native to New Mexico, where it feeds or shelters 56 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Cleome serrulata
- Native status
- Native in New Mexico
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 4b–9a
- What birds get from it
- seed, nectar
- New Mexico birds supported
- 56
- Nesting birds among them
- 51
Growing conditions in New Mexico
Arid to semi-arid, with Chihuahuan desert in the south and mountain forest above 7,000 ft.
Hot, dry early summer followed by the July–August monsoon.
New Mexico birds that use Rocky Mountain bee plant
Year-round residents (35)
Northern Cardinal, Black-capped Chickadee, House Finch, Mourning Dove, Dark-eyed Junco, Song Sparrow, Chipping 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, Gila Woodpecker, Verdin, Pyrrhuloxia, Eurasian Collared-Dove, Inca Dove, American Crow, Wild Turkey, Mallard, Eastern Meadowlark, Brown-headed Cowbird, Black-throated Sparrow, Pinyon Jay, Canada Goose, American Coot, Horned Lark, Brewer's Blackbird, Great-tailed Grackle, Rock Pigeon
Summer breeders (16)
Common Grackle, Indigo Bunting, Painted Bunting, Black-chinned Hummingbird, Broad-tailed Hummingbird, Costa's Hummingbird, Black-headed Grosbeak, Lazuli Bunting, Bullock's Oriole, White-winged Dove, Hooded Oriole, Lark Sparrow, Savannah Sparrow, Vesper Sparrow, Blue Grosbeak, Varied Bunting
Winter visitors (5)
American Goldfinch, Anna's Hummingbird, White-crowned Sparrow, Green-tailed Towhee, Yellow-headed Blackbird
Cold nights and sunny days; many desert and mountain birds move to lower elevations.
Nesting season it supports in New Mexico
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
- 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 New Mexico
Tubular flowers for hummingbirds and seed heads for finches.
Early catkins draw insects for arriving warblers and hummingbirds.
Frequently asked
Is Rocky Mountain bee plant native to New Mexico?
Yes. Rocky Mountain bee plant (Cleome serrulata) is recorded as native in New Mexico. New Mexico spans USDA 4b–9a.
What birds does Rocky Mountain bee plant attract in New Mexico?
In New Mexico, Rocky Mountain bee plant supports 56 backyard birds, including Northern Cardinal, Black-capped Chickadee, American Goldfinch, House Finch, Mourning Dove, Dark-eyed Junco.
Does Rocky Mountain bee plant help nesting birds in New Mexico?
51 of those birds nest in New Mexico: Northern Cardinal (April–August), Black-capped Chickadee (April–July), House Finch (April–August), Mourning Dove (March–September).
Which winter birds use Rocky Mountain bee plant in New Mexico?
Winter visitors American Goldfinch, Anna's Hummingbird, White-crowned Sparrow, Green-tailed Towhee, Yellow-headed Blackbird use it in New Mexico during the cold months.
Sources
- USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
- VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
- eBird region overview and bar charts — New Mexico
- 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.