Plants in genus penstemon
Penstemon 'Dazzler Blend'
Penstemon 'Dazzler Blend' is a drought-tolerant plant that thrives with average moisture and is excellent for rock gardens. It attracts hummingbirds and is valuable to native bees, making it a beneficial addition to pollinator-friendly gardens.
Penstemon strictus
Penstemon strictus, known as Rocky Mountain penstemon, is an heirloom plant with blue-violet flower spikes that attract pollinators. It blooms for about a month in early summer and is hardy and drought-tolerant, making it suitable for xeriscaping and native plant gardens.
Penstemon cobaea
Penstemon cobaea, native to the central United States, is known for its large, bell-shaped flowers that range from white to pink with magenta lines. This short-lived perennial thrives in well-drained soils and sunny positions, making it ideal for rock gardens or xeriscaping. Its glossy green leaves and tall flowering spikes attract pollinators, adding life to any garden setting.
Penstemon ovatus
Penstemon ovatus is a blue-flowered perennial native to the Pacific Northwest, thriving in moist, partly shady environments. Its flowers, which attract hummingbirds and insects, transition from blue to pink as they age. This plant prefers well-drained, compost-enhanced soils and begins blooming in early May.
Penstemon hirsutus
Penstemon hirsutus is a native plant to the US East Coast, forming a clump up to 2 feet tall and 4 feet wide. It features small tubular lavender flowers with a white lip and hairy foliage. This plant prefers full sun and well-drained soils, thriving in dry alvars, prairies, savannas, and old fields.
Penstemon smallii
Penstemon smallii is a native plant to the Southeastern United States, known for its white to purple tubular flowers with two lips. It blooms in late spring or early summer and is pollinated by bumblebees and wasps. This short-lived perennial requires good drainage and thrives in rocky environments.
Penstemon pinifolius
Penstemon pinifolius is an evergreen shrub native to the southwestern USA, featuring thin needle-like leaves and bright scarlet tubular flowers. It is well-suited for hot, dry conditions and rocky uplands, requiring a sunny position and protection from hard frosts.
Penstemon dissectus
Penstemon dissectus is a native plant from Southeastern Georgia, recognized for its lacy, cutleaf green foliage and small purple bell-shaped flowers in spring. It forms an upright clump up to 18 inches tall and prefers hot, dry, and well-drained conditions. Surprisingly cold-tolerant, this plant is a great addition to gardens that attract butterflies.
Penstemon murrayanus
Penstemon murrayanus is a perennial native to the southern US, growing in dry sandy soils. It features 6-foot tall spikes with bright orange tubular flowers that attract hummingbirds. This plant is endemic to Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Arkansas.
Penstemon utahensis
Penstemon utahensis, also known as Utah beardtongue, is a perennial herb native to the southwestern United States. It features showy inflorescences with bright red-pink flowers and grows in scrub, woodland, and canyons. This plant is known for its thick leaves and cylindrical flowers, making it a striking addition to gardens.
Penstemon 'Stapleford Gem'
Penstemon 'Stapleford Gem' is known for its bell-shaped flowers in shades of purple and white. It flowers heavily in spring and continues sporadically through summer, attracting butterflies and adding charm to sunny garden areas.
Penstemon 'Dark Towers'
Penstemon 'Dark Towers' is a hybrid plant with dark purple foliage and 2-foot tall flower stalks. It blooms with small lavender flowers from May through June, attracting hummingbirds to the garden. This plant is drought-tolerant and thrives in sunny locations.
Penstemon 'Purple Riding Hood'
Penstemon 'Purple Riding Hood' is a compact perennial with clumps reaching 15 inches wide and stems 12-15 inches tall. It features pointed leaves and up to 100 tubular violet flowers with dark purple tips, blooming from late April. This plant attracts butterflies and hummingbirds and requires good drainage, making it ideal for sunny gardens.
Penstemon 'Red Riding Hood'
Penstemon 'Red Riding Hood' is a vibrant perennial known for its upright growth, reaching about 2 feet in height and width. In spring, it is adorned with numerous cherry red bell-shaped flowers that attract butterflies and hummingbirds. This plant is suitable for cottage gardens and rock gardens, and it is also rabbit resistant. It thrives in full sun and is a great choice for adding a splash of color to any garden.
Penstemon digitalis
Penstemon digitalis is a native perennial known for its tubular white flowers that bloom from late spring to mid-summer. It attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, making it a great addition to pollinator gardens. This plant is hardy in USDA zones 3-8 and prefers full sun and well-drained soil. It is drought-tolerant once established and resistant to deer and rabbits. Penstemon digitalis is suitable for rock gardens and borders.
Penstemon gloxinioides 'Scarlet Queen'
Penstemon gloxinioides 'Scarlet Queen' is a hybrid selection of Mexican penstemon, featuring narrow green leaves and vibrant scarlet red flowers in late spring. This plant is known for attracting butterflies and thrives in sunny locations. Its bold blooms and compact growth make it a standout addition to any garden focused on pollinator attraction.
Penstemon digitalis 'Husker Red'
Penstemon digitalis 'Husker Red' is known for its narrow-leaved purple foliage and 3-foot spikes of white flowers in mid-spring. This plant reseeds and is attractive to butterflies, making it a great addition to sunny gardens.
Penstemon 'Prairie Dusk'
Penstemon 'Prairie Dusk' is a hybrid plant known for its purple bell-shaped flowers that attract hummingbirds. Developed by Dale Lindgren at the University of Nebraska, it features a basal rosette of shiny leaves and 20-inch stems that bloom in mid-spring. This plant is a favorite in cottage gardens and is resistant to rabbits, making it a durable choice for various landscapes.
Penstemon 'Midnight Masquerade'
Penstemon 'Midnight Masquerade' is a hardy perennial with deep eggplant-purple leaves and silky-lavender flowers. It attracts hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies, and is drought-tolerant once established. This plant is resistant to deer and rabbits, making it a resilient garden addition.
Penstemon barbatus 'Rose Elf'
Penstemon barbatus 'Rose Elf' is a perennial with green rosettes and medium pink bell-shaped flowers on 18-inch stalks. It spreads to form a 12-inch clump and is known for attracting butterflies. This plant is native to the United States and thrives in sunny locations.
Penstemon 'Purple Tiger'
Penstemon 'Purple Tiger' is known for its upright stems and large purple bells with white centers and violet stripes. It blooms in late spring and performs best in well-drained sites, attracting butterflies to the garden.
Penstemon 'Pink Dawn'
Penstemon 'Pink Dawn' is a compact plant with bright pink flower heads in spring. It is a seedling of P. digitalis and attracts butterflies, making it a lively addition to any garden.
Penstemon bradburyi
Penstemon bradburyi is a tall, showy plant native to the plains of North America, known for its blue to pinkish-blue flowers with magenta nectar guides. It thrives in well-drained soil and is fire-adapted, attracting bumblebees and hummingbirds. This plant is used in dry landscaping and is resistant to slugs and deer.
Penstemon 'Mesa'
Penstemon 'Mesa' is a perennial with medium purple flowers on 2-foot stalks. It attracts butterflies and is suitable for sun perennials, adding vibrant color to garden spaces. This plant is also rabbit-resistant, making it a durable choice for various landscapes.
Penstemon 'Kissin Kuzins'
Penstemon 'Kissin Kuzins' is a hybrid plant known for its 28-inch tall flowering stalks that bloom in early May. The flowers range from mauvy lavender to cerise pink with dark purple markings, and the plant requires good drainage and plenty of sun. It attracts butterflies and hummingbirds, making it a lively addition to any garden.
Penstemon 'Delfts Blue Riding Hood'
Penstemon 'Delfts Blue Riding Hood' is a compact plant with tubular blue flowers that have a lavender flush and white throat. It re-blooms in cool summer climates, adding vibrant color to gardens.
Penstemon heterophyllus 'Margarita Bop'
Penstemon heterophyllus 'Margarita Bop' is a drought-tolerant plant discovered in California as a chance seedling. It features royal blue, purple, and magenta blooms that flower from spring to mid-summer. This plant thrives in sunny container gardens and pollinator borders, making it a great option for attracting wildlife. 'Margarita Bop' is heat tolerant in USDA zones 6 through 10 and is resistant to deer and rabbits. Its unique appearance and adaptability make it a popular choice for gardeners looking to add a splash of color to their landscape.