Plantaginaceae
Whipple's penstemon
Penstemon whippleanus
Also known as Penstemon pallescens, Dusky penstemon, Penstemon stenosepalus, Whipple penstemon
Flowering Plants · Native Plants · Native · Penstemon · Rocky Mountain · Wildflower · Hummingbird Plant · Pollinator · Xeric · Perennial · Purple Flowers · Mountain Garden
Whipple's penstemon is a stunning native Rocky Mountain wildflower producing tubular dark purple to white blooms that are irresistible to hummingbirds and native bees. It thrives in well-drained, lean soils with moderate moisture and full to partial sun, performing poorly in rich or waterlogged conditions. Plant it in xeric or native gardens and avoid overwatering or heavy fertilization, which can shorten its lifespan.
Growing conditions
The details behind the basics
- Daily light
- 6 hours
- Watering
- Water deeply but infrequently, allowing the soil to dry moderately between waterings to mimic natural Rocky Mountain conditions · Every 10-14 days
- Maintenance
- Low
- Soil
- loam
- Soil pH
- 7–8
- Temperature
- -25°F to 95°F
- Cycle
- Perennial
- Propagation
- Seed
Hardiness
USDA 4b-9b
Form & growth
Mature size and habit
- Mature height
- 20 ft – 40 ft
- Spread
- 20 ft
- Spacing
- 18 in apart
- Growth rate
- Fast
- Root depth
- Medium
- Flowers
- Purple
- Foliage
- Green · Medium
Ecology & origin
Where it belongs and what it brings
- Native to
- Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Utah, Wyoming
- Attracts
- Hummingbirds, Bees, Butterflies
Sources: trefle, usda
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