Rocky Mountain penstemon for birds in Arizona
Blue-violet spikes favored by Broad-tailed Hummingbirds. Native to Arizona, where it feeds or shelters 9 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Penstemon strictus
- Native status
- Native in Arizona
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 4b–10b
- What birds get from it
- nectar
- Arizona birds supported
- 9
- Nesting birds among them
- 9
Growing conditions in Arizona
Hot Sonoran and Mojave deserts in the south and west, with pine-oak sky islands and the Colorado Plateau rising above 7,000 ft.
Summer highs above 110°F in Phoenix and Tucson make water the single strongest attractant; the July monsoon triggers a second breeding pulse.
Arizona birds that use Rocky Mountain penstemon
Year-round residents (5)
Anna's Hummingbird, Costa's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Verdin, Hooded Oriole
Summer breeders (4)
Black-chinned Hummingbird, Broad-tailed Hummingbird, Bullock's Oriole, White-winged Dove
Nesting season it supports in Arizona
Plants that feed adults and host caterpillars matter most while nestlings are in the nest. Local nesting windows for birds that use Rocky Mountain penstemon:
- Anna's Hummingbird — November–May
- Black-chinned Hummingbird — March–July
- Broad-tailed Hummingbird — May–July
- Costa's Hummingbird — January–May
- Gila Woodpecker — March–July
- Verdin — February–June
- Bullock's Oriole — April–July
- White-winged Dove — March–August
- Hooded Oriole — February–July
Native plants to pair with Rocky Mountain penstemon in Arizona
Scarlet late-summer spikes; a hummingbird magnet in moist soil.
Tubular flowers for hummingbirds and seed heads for finches.
Nectar-rich in summer, seed for finches in fall.
Orchid-like flowers through summer for hummingbirds and orioles.
Frequently asked
Is Rocky Mountain penstemon native to Arizona?
Yes. Rocky Mountain penstemon (Penstemon strictus) is recorded as native in Arizona. Arizona spans USDA 4b–10b.
What birds does Rocky Mountain penstemon attract in Arizona?
In Arizona, Rocky Mountain penstemon supports 9 backyard birds, including Anna's Hummingbird, Black-chinned Hummingbird, Broad-tailed Hummingbird, Costa's Hummingbird, Gila Woodpecker, Verdin.
Does Rocky Mountain penstemon help nesting birds in Arizona?
9 of those birds nest in Arizona: Anna's Hummingbird (November–May), Black-chinned Hummingbird (March–July), Broad-tailed Hummingbird (May–July), Costa's Hummingbird (January–May).
Sources
- USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
- VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Arizona
- 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.