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Hollinshead Water-wise Garden Plants

Photo:
Jan Even

Taxon ID#

62

Brilliant scarlet flowers are borne in profusion on the 2-4 ft. stalks of this penstemon. Blooms appear most profusely in the spring and again in the fall.

Scientific  Name:

Penstemon barbatus

Common Name 1

› Beardlip Penstemon

Family:

Scrophulariaceae

Origins:

Sonora in Mexico, north through Arizona, New Mexico, and western Texas to Utah and Colorado

Plant Type:

Herbaceous Plant, Perennial
Common Name 2

› Bearded Penstemon

Common Name 3

› Red Penstemon

Oregon native:

no

Western state native:

yes

Scroll down for more information on each topic

Landscape Application Information

Seasonal Care

Resource Links

MAINTENANCE

Maintenance Level:

Medium

Min. USDA Hardiness Zone:

4

Sun Preference:

Partial Sun

Water Preference:

L

Soil Preference:

Rocky soils

Fertilizer Needs:

Recommended Mulch:

PLANT DESCRIPTION

Foliage Color:

Green

Foliage Description:

Clasping, narrow, lance-shaped to linear, willow-like, medium green stem leaves (2-6" long). Oblong to ovate basal foliage generally retains some green color over winter.

Fragrant:

no

Predominant flower color:

Red

Flower Description:

Loose terminal racemes of reddish-orange, two-lipped, tubular flowers (to 2" long) atop erect, rigid stems bloom from late spring well into summer.

Fall color:

no

Fall Color Description:

Winter Foliage:

Semi-Evergreen

Winter Interest:

no

Winter Interest Description:

Mature height:

2-3'

Mature spread:

12-18"

Growth rate:

LANDSCAPE APPLICATION

Deer Resistant:

yes

Fire Resistant:

yes

Attracts Pollinators:

yes

Attracts Butterflies:

yes

Native Habitat:

Mesas; mountains

Attracts Birds:

yes

Cut/Dried Flowers:

no

Used by Wildlife:

no

Swales:

no

Wildlife Use:

Photo:
Kathy Ketchum

Hedge/Screen:

no

Border:

yes

Erosion Control:

no

Windbreak:

no

Ground Cover:

no

Provides Shade:

no

Rock Garden:

yes

Cover Structures:

no

First Bloom:

Jun

Last Bloom:

Adds Texture/Movement:

Sep

Ornamental Accent:

yes

no

Garden Observations:

Seasonal Care
Maintenance

SEASONAL CARE

Spring Care:

Move in Spring to left of Rice Grass or in corner next to Poker

Summer Care:

Remove spent flowering racemes to prolong bloom.

Fall Care:

Plants may be cut back to basal foliage after flowering to improve appearance of the planting.

Winter Care:

Leave some stems for frost protection and mulch with straw in winter, if necessary.

Long Term Care:

Penstemon are low maintenance. The main requirement for success is that they need to be planted in well-drained soil-they do not like to have wet feet or crowns. They do best in lean soil without any additional amendments.

Insect Pests:

Wildlife Pests:

Diseases:

Root rot can occur in wet, poorly-drained soils. Leaf spots and rusts may also occur. https://pnwhandbooks.org/plantdisease/host-and-disease-descriptions?title=Penstemon-Root+Rot

Environmental Problems:

Landscape Problems:

No serious insect or disease problems.

Care Comments:

Easily grown in average, dry to medium, well-drained soils in full sun. Avoid wet, poorly-drained soils.

RESOURCES

OSU Landscape Profile:

USDA Plants:

Calscape Database:

LBJ Native Plant Database:

Missouri Botanical Garden Database:

Monrovia Profile:

Alternate Source 1:

Alternate Source 2:

Source Comment:

Landscape Application
Resource Links

Plant Maintenance Information

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