Rocky Mountain penstemon for birds in Idaho
Blue-violet spikes favored by Broad-tailed Hummingbirds. Native to Idaho, where it feeds or shelters 4 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Penstemon strictus
- Native status
- Native in Idaho
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 3b–7b
- What birds get from it
- nectar
- Idaho birds supported
- 4
- Nesting birds among them
- 4
Growing conditions in Idaho
Semi-arid sagebrush plains along the Snake River and forested mountains to the north and center.
Hot, dry summers in the Snake River Plain and cool mountain summers.
Idaho birds that use Rocky Mountain penstemon
Summer breeders (4)
Black-chinned Hummingbird, Rufous Hummingbird, Broad-tailed Hummingbird, Bullock's Oriole
Nesting season it supports in Idaho
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
- Rufous Hummingbird — May–June
- Broad-tailed Hummingbird — June–July
- Bullock's Oriole — May–July
Native plants to pair with Rocky Mountain penstemon in Idaho
Tubular flowers for hummingbirds and seed heads for finches.
Nectar-rich in summer, seed for finches in fall.
Early spring blooms fuel returning Rufous Hummingbirds.
Frequently asked
Is Rocky Mountain penstemon native to Idaho?
Yes. Rocky Mountain penstemon (Penstemon strictus) is recorded as native in Idaho. Idaho spans USDA 3b–7b.
What birds does Rocky Mountain penstemon attract in Idaho?
In Idaho, Rocky Mountain penstemon supports 4 backyard birds, including Black-chinned Hummingbird, Rufous Hummingbird, Broad-tailed Hummingbird, Bullock's Oriole.
Does Rocky Mountain penstemon help nesting birds in Idaho?
4 of those birds nest in Idaho: Black-chinned Hummingbird (April–July), Rufous Hummingbird (May–June), 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 — Idaho
- 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.