Hollinshead Water-wise Garden Plants

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Photo:

Pat Kolling

Taxon ID#

65

Sprawling mat to 36 in. across with purple blooms all summer.

Scientific Name:

Penstemon fruiticosus

Common Name 1

› Shrubby Penstemon

Family:

Scrophulariaceae

Origins:

E. of the Cascade summits from southern B.C. to central OR, east to the Rockies of MT & WY

Plant Type:

Small Shrub (usually < 1.5' and not >3')

Common Name 2

› Bush Penstemon

Common Name 3

› Bush Beardtongue

Oregon native:

yes

Western state native:

yes

Scroll down for more information on each topic

Plant Description

Landscape Application Information

Seasonal Care

Resource Links

MAINTENANCE

Maintenance Level:

Min. USDA Hardiness Zone:

Sun Preference:

Full Sun

Water Preference:

L

Soil Preference:

Dry, rocky soil

Fertilizer Needs:

Recommended Mulch:

PLANT DESCRIPTION

Foliage Color:

Green

Foliage Description:

Leaves lance-shaped, saw-toothed, with pointed tips.

Fragrant:

no

Predominant flower color:

Purple

Flower Description:

Flowers lavender or blue-purple, to 2 in. long, lower lip with 2 deep folds, golden hairs on inner parts near mouth.

Fall color:

no

Fall Color Description:

Winter Foliage:

Winter Interest:

no

Winter Interest Description:

Mature height:

12"

Mature spread:

3'

Growth rate:

Medium

LANDSCAPE APPLICATION

Deer Resistant:

no

Fire Resistant:

no

Attracts Pollinators:

yes

Attracts Butterflies:

yes

Native Habitat:

Open, rocky or wooded foothill & higher elevation sites

Attracts Birds:

yes

Cut/Dried Flowers:

no

Used by Wildlife:

no

Swales:

no

Wildlife Use:

Photo:

Hedge/Screen:

no

Border:

yes

Erosion Control:

yes

Windbreak:

no

Ground Cover:

yes

Provides Shade:

no

Rock Garden:

yes

Cover Structures:

no

First Bloom:

May

Last Bloom:

Adds Texture/Movement:

Aug

Ornamental Accent:

yes

no

Garden Observations:

Seasonal Care

Maintenance

SEASONAL CARE

Spring Care:

Summer Care:

Any leftover flower stalks on Penstemon should be deadheaded. Penstemons need little pruning, but removing the stems after flowering is complete will often promote new foliage growth and a second flush of blooms. Deadheading will also prolong flowering.

Fall Care:

Winter Care:

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

Long Term Care:

Insect Pests:

Wildlife Pests:

Diseases:

Environmental Problems:

Landscape Problems:

Care Comments:

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.

RESOURCES

OSU Landscape Profile:

USDA Plants:

https://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=PEFR3

Calscape Database:

LBJ Native Plant Database:

https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=PEFR3

Missouri Botanical Garden Database:

Monrovia Profile:

Alternate Source 1:

http://biology.burke.washington.edu/herbarium/imagecollection/taxon.php?Taxon=Penstemon%20fruticosus

Hollinshead Water-wise Garden Plants

Photo:

Pat Kolling

Taxon ID#

65

Scientific Name:

Common Name 1

› Shrubby Penstemon

Family:

Origins:

E. of the Cascade summits from southern B.C. to central OR, east to the Rockies of MT & WY

Plant Type:

Small Shrub (usually < 1.5' and not >3')

Common Name 2

› Bush Penstemon

Common Name 3

› Bush Beardtongue

Oregon native:

yes

Western state native:

yes

Scroll down for more information on each topic

Plant Description

Landscape Application Information

Seasonal Care

Resource Links

MAINTENANCE

​

Min. USDA Hardiness Zone:

​

Sun Preference:

Full Sun

Water Preference:

L

Soil Preference:

Dry, rocky soil

Fertilizer Needs:

​

Recommended Mulch:

​

PLANT DESCRIPTION

Foliage Color:

Green

Foliage Description:

Leaves lance-shaped, saw-toothed, with pointed tips.

Fragrant:

no

Predominant flower color:

Purple

Flower Description:

Flowers lavender or blue-purple, to 2 in. long, lower lip with 2 deep folds, golden hairs on inner parts near mouth.

Fall color:

no

Fall Color Description:

​

Winter Foliage:

​

Winter Interest:

no

Winter Interest Description:

​

Mature height:

12"

Mature spread:

3'

Growth rate:

Medium

LANDSCAPE APPLICATION

Deer Resistant:

no

Fire Resistant:

no

Attracts Pollinators:

yes

Attracts Butterflies:

yes

Native Habitat:

Open, rocky or wooded foothill & higher elevation sites

Attracts Birds:

yes