Wild bergamot for birds in Arizona
Tubular flowers for hummingbirds and seed heads for finches. Native to Arizona, where it feeds or shelters 52 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Monarda fistulosa
- Native status
- Native in Arizona
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 4b–10b
- What birds get from it
- nectar, seed
- Arizona birds supported
- 52
- Nesting birds among them
- 48
Growing conditions in Arizona
Hot Sonoran and Mojave deserts in the south and west, with pine-oak sky islands and the Colorado Plateau rising above 7,000 ft.
Summer highs above 110°F in Phoenix and Tucson make water the single strongest attractant; the July monsoon triggers a second breeding pulse.
Arizona birds that use Wild bergamot
Year-round residents (36)
Northern Cardinal, House Finch, Mourning Dove, Dark-eyed Junco, Song Sparrow, Chipping Sparrow, Red-winged Blackbird, Evening Grosbeak, Pine Siskin, House Sparrow, Anna's Hummingbird, Costa's Hummingbird, Lesser Goldfinch, Cassin's Finch, Spotted Towhee, Canyon Towhee, Gambel's Quail, Gila Woodpecker, Verdin, Pyrrhuloxia, Eurasian Collared-Dove, Inca Dove, American Crow, Wild Turkey, Mallard, Eastern Meadowlark, Brown-headed Cowbird, Hooded Oriole, Black-throated Sparrow, Pinyon Jay, Canada Goose, American Coot, Horned Lark, Brewer's Blackbird, Great-tailed Grackle, Rock Pigeon
Summer breeders (12)
Indigo Bunting, Black-chinned Hummingbird, Broad-tailed Hummingbird, Black-headed Grosbeak, Lazuli Bunting, Bullock's Oriole, White-winged Dove, Lark Sparrow, Savannah Sparrow, Vesper Sparrow, Blue Grosbeak, Varied Bunting
Winter visitors (4)
American Goldfinch, White-crowned Sparrow, Green-tailed Towhee, Yellow-headed Blackbird
Low deserts stay mild and host many wintering sparrows and hummingbirds; the high country gets snow.
Nesting season it supports in Arizona
Plants that feed adults and host caterpillars matter most while nestlings are in the nest. Local nesting windows for birds that use Wild bergamot:
- Northern Cardinal — March–August
- House Finch — March–August
- Mourning Dove — February–September
- Dark-eyed Junco — April–July
- Song Sparrow — March–August
- Chipping Sparrow — March–July
- Red-winged Blackbird — March–July
- Evening Grosbeak — May–July
- Pine Siskin — March–June
- Indigo Bunting — April–August
Native plants to pair with Wild bergamot in Arizona
Nectar-rich in summer, seed for finches in fall.
Early catkins draw insects for arriving warblers and hummingbirds.
Frequently asked
Is Wild bergamot native to Arizona?
Yes. Wild bergamot (Monarda fistulosa) is recorded as native in Arizona. Arizona spans USDA 4b–10b.
What birds does Wild bergamot attract in Arizona?
In Arizona, Wild bergamot supports 52 backyard birds, including Northern Cardinal, American Goldfinch, House Finch, Mourning Dove, Dark-eyed Junco, Song Sparrow.
Does Wild bergamot help nesting birds in Arizona?
48 of those birds nest in Arizona: Northern Cardinal (March–August), House Finch (March–August), Mourning Dove (February–September), Dark-eyed Junco (April–July).
Which winter birds use Wild bergamot in Arizona?
Winter visitors American Goldfinch, White-crowned Sparrow, Green-tailed Towhee, Yellow-headed Blackbird use it in Arizona during the cold months.
Sources
- USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
- VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Arizona
- 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.