Rocky Mountain penstemon for birds in Utah
Blue-violet spikes favored by Broad-tailed Hummingbirds. Native to Utah, where it feeds or shelters 5 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Penstemon strictus
- Native status
- Native in Utah
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 4a–9a
- What birds get from it
- nectar
- Utah birds supported
- 5
- Nesting birds among them
- 5
Growing conditions in Utah
Semi-arid to arid, with the Wasatch Range rising above the Great Basin and red-rock canyon country in the south.
Hot, dry summers.
Utah birds that use Rocky Mountain penstemon
Year-round residents (1)
Summer breeders (4)
Black-chinned Hummingbird, Broad-tailed Hummingbird, Costa's Hummingbird, Bullock's Oriole
Nesting season it supports in Utah
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
- Verdin — March–June
- Bullock's Oriole — May–July
Native plants to pair with Rocky Mountain penstemon in Utah
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 Utah?
Yes. Rocky Mountain penstemon (Penstemon strictus) is recorded as native in Utah. Utah spans USDA 4a–9a.
What birds does Rocky Mountain penstemon attract in Utah?
In Utah, Rocky Mountain penstemon supports 5 backyard birds, including Black-chinned Hummingbird, Broad-tailed Hummingbird, Costa's Hummingbird, Verdin, Bullock's Oriole.
Does Rocky Mountain penstemon help nesting birds in Utah?
5 of those birds nest in Utah: Black-chinned Hummingbird (April–July), Broad-tailed Hummingbird (June–July), Costa's Hummingbird (February–May), Verdin (March–June).
Sources
- USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
- VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Utah
- 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.