Rocky Mountain penstemon for birds in Wyoming
Blue-violet spikes favored by Broad-tailed Hummingbirds. Native to Wyoming, where it feeds or shelters 3 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Penstemon strictus
- Native status
- Native in Wyoming
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 3a–5b
- What birds get from it
- nectar
- Wyoming birds supported
- 3
- Nesting birds among them
- 3
Growing conditions in Wyoming
Semi-arid high plains and basins with major mountain ranges; most towns lie above 5,000 ft.
Short, warm summers with cool nights.
Wyoming birds that use Rocky Mountain penstemon
Summer breeders (3)
Black-chinned Hummingbird, Broad-tailed Hummingbird, Bullock's Oriole
Nesting season it supports in Wyoming
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 — May–July
- Broad-tailed Hummingbird — July
- Bullock's Oriole — June–July
Native plants to pair with Rocky Mountain penstemon in Wyoming
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 Wyoming?
Yes. Rocky Mountain penstemon (Penstemon strictus) is recorded as native in Wyoming. Wyoming spans USDA 3a–5b.
What birds does Rocky Mountain penstemon attract in Wyoming?
In Wyoming, 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 Wyoming?
3 of those birds nest in Wyoming: Black-chinned Hummingbird (May–July), Broad-tailed Hummingbird (July), Bullock's Oriole (June–July).
Sources
- USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
- VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Wyoming
- 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.