Plantaginaceae
Shrubby penstemon
Penstemon venustus
Also known as Penstemon suffruticosus, Penstemon fruticosus, Bush penstemon, Shrub beardtongue
Flowering Plants · Native Plants · Penstemon · Native · Perennial · Hummingbird Plant · Drought Tolerant · Tubular Flowers · Pacific Northwest · Pollinator · Rock Garden · Purple Flowers
Shrubby penstemon is a semi-woody native perennial producing showy lavender-purple tubular flowers that attract hummingbirds and bees throughout late spring and summer. It prefers well-drained to rocky soils and tolerates dry conditions well once established, making it ideal for low-water western gardens. Trim lightly after flowering to maintain a tidy habit and encourage repeat blooming.
Growing conditions
The details behind the basics
- Daily light
- 6 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
- 6.8–8
- 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
- 24 in apart
- Growth rate
- Fast
- Root depth
- Medium
- Flowers
- Purple
- Foliage
- Green · Medium
Ecology & origin
Where it belongs and what it brings
- Native to
- California, Idaho, Oregon, Utah, Washington
- Attracts
- Bees, Hummingbirds, Butterflies
Sources: trefle, usda
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