Southwestern North American native penstemon with airy spires of pendant tubular scarlet or coral-red flowers held on tall slender stems. The principal hummingbird penstemon of the American West.
Hardiness ratings
| System | Rating | Temperature range | How to read it |
|---|---|---|---|
| USDA hardiness zone | Zone 4–9 | −34.4 °C to −1.1 °C | Plant tolerates down to this zone |
| RHS hardiness rating | H6 | −20 °C to −15 °C | Plant needs at least this level of cold tolerance |
| Canadian plant hardiness zone | Zone 4–8 | −29 °C to −1 °C | Plant tolerates down to this zone |
| Australian (ANBG) zone | Zone 2–6 | −10 °C to 15 °C | Plant tolerates down to this zone |
Growing notes
- Plant in dry sunny borders, gravel gardens, and prairie plantings — flowers attract hummingbirds in numbers in its native range
- Among the most drought-tolerant penstemons — adapted to high-altitude semi-arid conditions of the Rocky Mountains
- Distinct from P. digitalis (also in this batch) and the base Penstemon spp. entry already in the database
- Short-lived — replace every 3–4 years or allow self-seeding to perpetuate
Categories
Related plants
Cross-check Beardlip penstemon against your zones