Rocky Mountain penstemon for birds in New Mexico
Blue-violet spikes favored by Broad-tailed Hummingbirds. Native to New Mexico, where it feeds or shelters 9 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Penstemon strictus
- Native status
- Native in New Mexico
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 4b–9a
- What birds get from it
- nectar
- New Mexico birds supported
- 9
- Nesting birds among them
- 8
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 penstemon
Year-round residents (2)
Summer breeders (6)
Black-chinned Hummingbird, Broad-tailed Hummingbird, Costa's Hummingbird, Bullock's Oriole, White-winged Dove, Hooded Oriole
Winter visitors (1)
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 penstemon:
- Black-chinned Hummingbird — April–July
- Broad-tailed Hummingbird — June–July
- Costa's Hummingbird — February–May
- Gila Woodpecker — April–July
- Verdin — March–June
- Bullock's Oriole — May–July
- White-winged Dove — April–August
- Hooded Oriole — March–July
Native plants to pair with Rocky Mountain penstemon in New Mexico
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 New Mexico?
Yes. Rocky Mountain penstemon (Penstemon strictus) is recorded as native in New Mexico. New Mexico spans USDA 4b–9a.
What birds does Rocky Mountain penstemon attract in New Mexico?
In New Mexico, 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 New Mexico?
8 of those birds nest in New Mexico: Black-chinned Hummingbird (April–July), Broad-tailed Hummingbird (June–July), Costa's Hummingbird (February–May), Gila Woodpecker (April–July).
Which winter birds use Rocky Mountain penstemon in New Mexico?
Winter visitors Anna's Hummingbird 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.