$9.50–$85.00
In stockIn stock1
trefle.io · Taken Jun 18, 2021 by Angela C (cc-by-sa)
Plantaginaceae
Palmer penstemon
Penstemon palmeri
Also known as Palmer's penstemon, Penstemon palmeri subsp. typicus, Scented penstemon, Balloon flower penstemon
Zones 4–9Sun Full SunWater LowCare Low
Flowering Plants · Native Plants · Native Wildflower · Xeriscape · Hummingbird Plant · Penstemon · Drought Tolerant · Pink Flowers · Southwest · Pollinator · Fragrant · Rock Garden
Pet-safeBeginner-friendlyAttracts pollinators
In stock at 1 nurseryStock updated 9/6/2026
Palmer penstemon is a stunning, fragrant native of the southwestern United States, producing tall spikes of large pale pink to white tubular flowers that are irresistible to hummingbirds and bees. It thrives in full sun with excellent drainage and lean, sandy or gravelly soil, and is highly drought tolerant once established. Avoid overwatering or rich, fertile soils, which can shorten its lifespan; it is an excellent low-maintenance choice for xeriscape and native plant gardens.
Growing conditions
The details behind the basics
- Daily light
- 8 hours
- Watering
- Water deeply but infrequently; allow soil to dry out between waterings · Every 14-21 days once established; more frequent during first growing season
- Maintenance
- Low
- Soil
- loam
- Soil pH
- 6–7.9
- Temperature
- -25°F to 95°F
- Cycle
- Perennial
- Propagation
- Seed, Division, Cutting
Hardiness
USDA 4b-9b
12345678910111213
Form & growth
Mature size and habit
- Mature height
- 12 in – 4 ft
- Spread
- 4 ft
- Spacing
- 24 in apart
- Growth rate
- Moderate
- Root depth
- Medium
- Flowers
- Purple
- Foliage
- Green · Coarse
Ecology & origin
Where it belongs and what it brings
- Native to
- Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, Washington, Wyoming
- Attracts
- Bees, Hummingbirds, Butterflies
Sources: trefle, usda
More Penstemon
Related plants from the same genus
Buy this plant
1 nursery carries it