Top 5 Native Mojave Plants To Attract Backyard Birds

By Morrigan DeVito

Spring is here! What better way to celebrate than to garden in the fresh air? And if you plant native Mojave plants, birds are sure to come visit you. Here are five native, drought tolerant plants to conserve water and attract desert birds:

1. Desert Marigold
The desert marigold’s bright flowers shine like little sunbursts against the sandy soil. Some birds that you might see after planting these are house finches, lesser goldfinches, mourning doves, and white-crowned sparrows because they like to eat the seeds.

2. Firecracker Penstemon 
This plant has tall stalks of vibrant red flowers and thrives in the high desert. The firecracker penstemon’s gorgeous tubular flowers are sure to attract Anna’s and Costa’s hummingbirds, as well as many species of butterflies! 
3. Desert Globemallow
The desert globemallow loves sunshine and its reddish-orange flowers are sure to make your garden pop. Its cup-like blooms attract hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies. The seeds are tasty to birds like mourning doves and Gambel’s quail. 
4. Beavertail Cactus
If you want a cactus to compliment your garden, look no further than the beavertail! These grow low to the ground and have large, flat pads. In the early spring and summer, dazzling purple flowers bloom. The flowers attract hummingbirds and songbirds. They also produce small fruits that attract cactus wrens. 

5. Creosote Bush 
The creosote is an iconic Mojave plant and an excellent choice to add some bushy green to your garden. Creosotes attract a wide variety of birds like verdins, gnatcatchers, sparrows, finches, and quail. These birds love the seeds and shelter that creosote offers. 

These are just a few of the many native Mojave plants you can add to your garden. All of these plants will attract birds and conserve water, so celebrate spring and check out your local nursery today!