Plantaginaceae
Sharpleaf penstemon
Penstemon acuminatus
Also known as Sandhills penstemon, Penstemon acuminatus, Sharp-leaved penstemon
Flowering Plants · Native Plants · Penstemon · Native · Great Basin · Pollinator · Xeriscape · Rock Garden · Blue Flowers · Drought Tolerant · Hummingbird Plant · Western Native
Sharpleaf penstemon is a hardy native of the Great Basin and Pacific Northwest that produces showy lavender-blue tubular flowers beloved by pollinators. It thrives in well-drained, sandy or gravelly soils and tolerates dry conditions once established, making it an excellent choice for xeriscape or rock gardens. Avoid overwatering and heavy clay soils, which can cause root rot.
Growing conditions
The details behind the basics
- Daily light
- 6 hours
- Watering
- Water deeply but infrequently; allow soil to dry thoroughly between waterings · Every 10-14 days
- Maintenance
- Low
- Soil
- loam
- Soil pH
- 6–8
- Temperature
- -40°F to 95°F
- Cycle
- Perennial
Hardiness
USDA 3a-9b
Form & growth
Mature size and habit
- Mature height
- 12 in – 4 ft
- Spread
- 3 ft
- Spacing
- 18 in apart
- Growth rate
- Moderate
- Root depth
- Medium
- Flowers
- Blue
- Foliage
- Green · Coarse
Ecology & origin
Where it belongs and what it brings
- Native to
- Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Washington
- Attracts
- Bees, Hummingbirds, Butterflies
Sources: trefle, usda
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