Rocky Mountain penstemon for birds in Colorado
Blue-violet spikes favored by Broad-tailed Hummingbirds. Native to Colorado, where it feeds or shelters 3 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Penstemon strictus
- Native status
- Native in Colorado
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 3a–7b
- What birds get from it
- nectar
- Colorado birds supported
- 3
- Nesting birds among them
- 3
Growing conditions in Colorado
Semi-arid high plains in the east and the Rocky Mountains through the center, with most backyards between 5,000 and 7,000 ft.
Warm, dry days and cool nights; afternoon storms are common in July and August.
Colorado birds that use Rocky Mountain penstemon
Summer breeders (3)
Black-chinned Hummingbird, Broad-tailed Hummingbird, Bullock's Oriole
Nesting season it supports in Colorado
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:
- Black-chinned Hummingbird — April–July
- Broad-tailed Hummingbird — June–July
- Bullock's Oriole — May–July
Native plants to pair with Rocky Mountain penstemon in Colorado
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.
Tall magenta spikes are a key northern hummingbird flower.
Frequently asked
Is Rocky Mountain penstemon native to Colorado?
Yes. Rocky Mountain penstemon (Penstemon strictus) is recorded as native in Colorado. Colorado spans USDA 3a–7b.
What birds does Rocky Mountain penstemon attract in Colorado?
In Colorado, Rocky Mountain penstemon supports 3 backyard birds, including Black-chinned Hummingbird, Broad-tailed Hummingbird, Bullock's Oriole.
Does Rocky Mountain penstemon help nesting birds in Colorado?
3 of those birds nest in Colorado: Black-chinned Hummingbird (April–July), Broad-tailed Hummingbird (June–July), Bullock's Oriole (May–July).
Sources
- USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
- VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Colorado
- 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.