Rocky Mountain Penstemon
Penstemon strictus
In Utah's Wasatch Range & Colorado Plateau, draws hummingbirds with deep blue-purple nectar tubes from May to Jul — for sand, rocky, and loam ground.
- Full sun
- Dry
- 1.5–2.5 ft
- Blooms May–Jul
Utah · Zones 4–8
Native Hummingbird Plants in Utah
Tubular, nectar-heavy native flowers that draw hummingbirds far more reliably — and safely — than any sugar-water feeder. Every species here is genuinely native to Utah and the wider flora of the Mountain West and hardy through zones 4–8 — proven performers for Utah's arid, cold winters, high sun climate across Wasatch Range & Colorado Plateau, not a generic list. Local standouts include Rocky Mountain Penstemon and Wild Bergamot. Hummingbirds are wired to investigate red and orange tubular flowers, so a few well-placed natives will out-pull a feeder and never need cleaning. Stagger bloom times so there is nectar from spring migration through fall departure, and plant near a perch or shrub where the birds can rest between feedings.
The plants
11 native species for Utah
Each one native to your region and hardy in zones 4–8 · see this collection in other states.
Wild Bergamot
Monarda fistulosa
In Utah's Wasatch Range & Colorado Plateau, a nectar stop hummingbirds return to, its lavender flowers carried from Jun to Aug; 1.5–2 ft wide.
- Full–part sun
- Dry–average
- 2–4 ft
- Blooms Jun–Aug
Western Columbine
Aquilegia formosa
In Utah's Wasatch Range & Colorado Plateau, hummingbirds work its red flowers from Apr to Jul — happy in rocky and loam soil.
- Part shade
- Average
- 1.5–3 ft
- Blooms Apr–Jul
Cardinal Flower
Lobelia cardinalis
In Utah's Wasatch Range & Colorado Plateau, hummingbird fuel — slender electric scarlet tubes too deep for most insects from Jul to Sep; reaching 2–4 ft.
- Full–part sun
- Average–wet
- 2–4 ft
- Blooms Jul–Sep
Anise Hyssop
Agastache foeniculum
In Utah's Wasatch Range & Colorado Plateau, tubular lavender-blue flowers shaped for a hummingbird's bill from Jun to Sep, reaching 2–4 ft.
- Full–part sun
- Dry–average
- 2–4 ft
- Blooms Jun–Sep
Flame Acanthus
Anisacanthus quadrifidus var. wrightii
In Utah's Wasatch Range & Colorado Plateau, hummingbirds work its orange-red flowers from Jun to Oct, reaching 2–4 ft.
- Full sun
- Dry
- 2–4 ft
- Blooms Jun–Oct
Desert Willow
Chilopsis linearis
In Utah's Wasatch Range & Colorado Plateau, hummingbirds work its orchid-pink flowers from May to Sep — spreading 10–20 ft.
- Full sun
- Dry
- 15–25 ft
- Blooms May–Sep
Firecracker Penstemon
Penstemon eatonii
In Utah's Wasatch Range & Colorado Plateau, a nectar stop hummingbirds return to, its scarlet flowers carried from Mar to May; 12–18 in wide.
- Full sun
- Dry
- 1.5–3 ft
- Blooms Mar–May
Autumn Sage
Salvia greggii
In Utah's Wasatch Range & Colorado Plateau, hummingbirds work its red flowers from Apr to Oct — for sand, rocky, and loam ground.
- Full–part sun
- Dry
- 2–3 ft
- Blooms Apr–Oct
Bearberry
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi
In Utah's Wasatch Range & Colorado Plateau, built for hummingbirds, with pink-white nectar tubes borne in Apr and May, for sand and rocky ground.
- Full–part sun
- Dry
- 4–8 in
- Blooms Apr–May
Oregon Grape
Berberis aquifolium
In Utah's Wasatch Range & Colorado Plateau, built for hummingbirds, with bright yellow nectar tubes borne in Mar and Apr, good through zone 9.
- Sun to shade
- Dry–average
- 3–6 ft
- Blooms Mar–Apr
Sourcing
Where to find these in Utah
Seeds & live plants on Amazon
Seed packets, plugs, and starter plants for many of these species ship to your door.
Browse on AmazonSome links here are affiliate links — we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. The surest source of locally-adapted stock is a native-plant nursery or a native plant society sale in your area.