Hollinshead Water-wise Garden Plants

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Photo:

Nathalie Smith

Firecracker Penstemon

Firecracker Beardtongue

Eaton's Penstemon

Latin Name:

Penstemon eatonii

This perennial's striking feature is its scarlet flowers. Five to ten long, narrow, tubular blossoms top each of the numerous 2 ft. high stems.

Taxon ID#

64 MAINTENANCE

Maintenance Level:

Low

Min. USDA Hardiness Zone:

4 Sun Preference:

Partial Sun

Water Preference:

L

Soil Preference:

Dry, gravelly soils

Fertilizer Needs:

Recommended Mulch:

Gravel or nothing

Family:

Scrophulariaceae

Origins:

Plant Type:

Herbaceous Plant, Perennial

Southwest CO & UT to central AZ southwest CA

Oregon native:

no

Western state native:

yes

PLANT DESCRIPTION

Foliage Color:

Green

Foliage Description:

The leaves, found mostly in the basal rosette, are lance-shaped to oval, untoothed, and up to 9 centimeters in length.

Fragrant:

no

Predominant flower color:

Red

Flower Description:

Five to ten long, narrow, red tubular blossoms top each of the numerous tall stems.

Fall color:

no

Fall Color Description:

Winter Foliage:

Deciduous

Winter Interest:

no

Winter Interest Description:

Mature height:

2.5-3'

Mature spread:

3'

Growth rate:

Medium

LANDSCAPE APPLICATION

Deer Resistant:

no

Fire Resistant:

yes

Attracts Pollinators:

yes

Attracts Butterflies:

yes

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.

Attracts Birds:

yes

Cut/Dried Flowers:

yes

Photo:

Used by Wildlife:

yes

Hedge/Screen:

no

Swales:

no

Wildlife Use:

Hummingbirds love the flowers. Species in the Penstemon genus are host plants to several butterfly species including the Arachne Checkerspot, Chalcedon Checkerspot, and Common Buckeye. Penstemons are considered desirable forages for deer, antelope, and b

Border:

yes

Erosion Control:

yes

Windbreak:

no

Cover Structures:

no

Ground Cover:

yes

Provides Shade:

no

Rock Garden:

yes

Adds Texture/Movement:

no

First Bloom:

Jun

Last Bloom:

Aug

Ornamental Accent:

yes

Garden Observations:

SEASONAL CARE

Spring Care:

Summer Care:

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

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:

Disease problems are minimal except under irrigation. Under irrigation, fusarium wilt can be a problem.

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/plantguide/pdf/pg_peea.pdf

Calscape Database:

https://calscape.org/Penstemon-eatonii-(Firecracker-Penstemon)?srchcr=sc5f6f89d071eee

Hollinshead Water-wise Garden Plants

Photo:

Nathalie Smith

Firecracker Penstemon

Firecracker Beardtongue

Eaton's Penstemon

Latin Name:

Taxon ID#

64

MAINTENANCE

Low

Min. USDA Hardiness Zone:

4

Sun Preference:

Partial Sun

Water Preference:

L

Soil Preference:

Dry, gravelly soils

Fertilizer Needs:

​

Recommended Mulch:

Gravel or nothing

Family:

Origins:

Plant Type:

Herbaceous Plant, Perennial

Southwest CO & UT to central AZ southwest CA

Oregon native:

no

Western state native:

yes

PLANT DESCRIPTION

Foliage Color:

Green

Foliage Description:

The leaves, found mostly in the basal rosette, are lance-shaped to oval, untoothed, and up to 9 centimeters in length.

Fragrant:

no

Predominant flower color:

Red

Flower Description:

Five to ten long, narrow, red tubular blossoms top each of the numerous tall stems.

Fall color:

no

Fall Color Description:

​

Winter Foliage:

Deciduous

Winter Interest:

no

Winter Interest Description:

​

Mature height:

2.5-3'

Mature spread:

3'

Growth rate:

Medium

LANDSCAPE APPLICATION

Deer Resistant:

no

Fire Resistant:

yes

Attracts Pollinators:

yes

Attracts Butterflies:

yes

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.

Attracts Birds:

yes

Cut/Dried Flowers:

yes

Photo:

​

Used by Wildlife:

yes

Hedge/Screen:

no