Penstemon eatonii
Common Name(s):
Firecracker Penstemon
Firecracker Beardtongue
Synonym:
Penstemon amplus
Eaton's Penstemon
Flower:
Red
Blooms :
Jun
to:
Aug
Five to ten long, narrow, red tubular blossoms top each of the numerous tall stems.
Botanical Description
Fragrant?
NO
Family:
Scrophulariaceae
Herbaceous Plant, Perennial
Foliage:
Green
The leaves, found mostly in the basal rosette, are lance-shaped to oval, untoothed, and up to 3.5 in length.
Fall Color?
YES
Evergreen goliage and structural seedheads
Evergreen
Photo by:
Heading 6
Dense basal rosette of leaves that are evergreen
Oregon Native?
NO
West State Native?
YES
Origins:
Southwest CO & UT to central AZ southwest CA
Site Selection
Minimum USDA Hardiness Zone:
4
Water Needs:
L
Sun Needs:
Partial Sun
Deer Resistant?
NO
Firewise?
YES
Height:
2.5-3'
Spread:
3'
Growth Rate:
Medium
Native Habitat:
It is native to the western United States from California to the Rocky Mountains, where it grows in many types of desert, woodland, forest, and open plateau habitat. In California it is found primarily in high desert areas.
Soil:
Dry, gravelly soils
Care Recommendations
Maintenance Level:
Low
Fertilizer:
Requires no fertilizer
Mulch:
Gravel or nothing
Never overwater, needs well-drained soil, fertilize lightly in spring, clip off spent flower stalks immediately after blooming, deadhead to prevent spreading
Long Term:
Winter:
Leave some stems for frost protection and mulch with straw in winter, if necessary.
Spring:
Prunte dead winter foliage, provide light irrigation, clean away old mulch and plant debris, add new mulch
Summer:
To extend the lifespan of the plant, deadhead the flower spikes when flowering is done. But be sure to leave some seeds to ripen on the plant.(https://www.highcountrygardens.com/perennial-plants/penstemon/penstemon-eatonii) or clip back stalks after final flowering
Fall:
Stop watering, clear away rotting stems and plant litter, fertilize if desired, sew new seeds
General 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.
Common Problems
Disease problems are minimal except under irrigation. Under irrigation, fusarium wilt can be a problem.
Diseases:
Root rot,, powdery mildew, leaf spot
Insects:
Aphids, grasshoppers, caterpillars
Environmental Problems:
Moisture sensitivity, soil compostition, does not like rich soils
Pests:
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