trefle.io · Taken May 21, 2021 by Daniel Levesque (cc-by-sa)
Plantaginaceae
Bush penstemon
Penstemon fruticosus
Also known as Chaparral penstemon, Bush beardtongue, Dasanthera fruticosa, Penstemon menziesii
Flowering Plants · Native Plants · Trees & Shrubs · Penstemon · Native · Rock Garden · Hummingbird · Pollinator · Drought Tolerant · Woody Perennial · Pacific Northwest · Purple Flowers · Xeric
Bush penstemon is a woody-based native perennial forming low, spreading mounds covered in large lavender-purple tubular flowers in late spring and early summer. It thrives in well-drained, rocky or sandy soils with partial sun and very little supplemental water once established, making it ideal for xeric and rock gardens. Hummingbirds and native bees are strongly attracted to its showy blooms, making it a standout choice for Pacific Northwest wildlife gardens.
Growing conditions
The details behind the basics
- Daily light
- 5 hours
- Watering
- Water deeply but infrequently, allowing soil to dry out between waterings once established · Every 10-14 days
- Maintenance
- Low
- Soil
- loam
- Soil pH
- 6–8
- Temperature
- -25°F to 95°F
- Cycle
- Perennial
- Propagation
- Seed
Hardiness
USDA 4b-9b
Form & growth
Mature size and habit
- Mature height
- 10 ft – 30 ft
- Spread
- 15 ft
- Spacing
- 24 in apart
- Growth rate
- Moderate
- Root depth
- Medium
- Flowers
- Blue
- Foliage
- Green · Medium
Ecology & origin
Where it belongs and what it brings
- Native to
- Alberta, British Columbia, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, Wyoming
- Attracts
- Hummingbirds, Bees, Butterflies
Sources: trefle, usda
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