Wild bergamot for birds in Iowa
Tubular flowers for hummingbirds and seed heads for finches. Native to Iowa, where it feeds or shelters 50 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Monarda fistulosa
- Native status
- Native in Iowa
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 4b–6a
- What birds get from it
- nectar, seed
- Iowa birds supported
- 50
- Nesting birds among them
- 40
Growing conditions in Iowa
Humid continental prairie state, with loess hills in the west and the Driftless Area in the northeast.
Hot, humid summers with thunderstorms.
Iowa birds that use Wild bergamot
Year-round residents (21)
Northern Cardinal, Black-capped Chickadee, American Goldfinch, House Finch, Mourning Dove, Song Sparrow, House Sparrow, Eurasian Collared-Dove, American Crow, Wood Duck, Wild Turkey, Northern Bobwhite, Mallard, Eastern Meadowlark, Brown-headed Cowbird, Field Sparrow, Canada Goose, Horned Lark, Great-tailed Grackle, Rock Pigeon, Eurasian Tree Sparrow
Summer breeders (19)
Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Chipping Sparrow, Common Grackle, Red-winged Blackbird, Baltimore Oriole, Orchard Oriole, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Indigo Bunting, Eastern Towhee, Lark Sparrow, American Coot, Savannah Sparrow, Swamp Sparrow, Vesper Sparrow, Dickcissel, Blue Grosbeak, Bobolink, Yellow-headed Blackbird, Brewer's Blackbird
Winter visitors (10)
Purple Finch, Dark-eyed Junco, White-throated Sparrow, Pine Siskin, American Tree Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Harris's Sparrow, Snow Bunting, Lapland Longspur, Hoary Redpoll
Cold, windy winters; open farmland makes backyard shelter and feeders a lifeline.
Nesting season it supports in Iowa
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 — April–August
- Black-capped Chickadee — April–July
- American Goldfinch — July–September
- House Finch — April–August
- Ruby-throated Hummingbird — May–August
- Mourning Dove — March–September
- Song Sparrow — April–August
- Chipping Sparrow — April–July
- Common Grackle — April–June
- Red-winged Blackbird — April–July
Native plants to pair with Wild bergamot in Iowa
Late nectar for insects and fall seed for sparrows.
Hosts hundreds of caterpillar species; spring flowers draw early insects.
Early catkins draw insects for arriving warblers and hummingbirds.
Frequently asked
Is Wild bergamot native to Iowa?
Yes. Wild bergamot (Monarda fistulosa) is recorded as native in Iowa. Iowa spans USDA 4b–6a.
What birds does Wild bergamot attract in Iowa?
In Iowa, Wild bergamot supports 50 backyard birds, including Northern Cardinal, Black-capped Chickadee, American Goldfinch, House Finch, Purple Finch, Ruby-throated Hummingbird.
Does Wild bergamot help nesting birds in Iowa?
40 of those birds nest in Iowa: Northern Cardinal (April–August), Black-capped Chickadee (April–July), American Goldfinch (July–September), House Finch (April–August).
Which winter birds use Wild bergamot in Iowa?
Winter visitors Purple Finch, Dark-eyed Junco, White-throated Sparrow, Pine Siskin, American Tree Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Harris's Sparrow, Snow Bunting, Lapland Longspur, Hoary Redpoll use it in Iowa during the cold months.
Sources
- USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
- VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Iowa
- 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.