Penstemon heterophyllus
Penstemon native to the interior California foothills with yellow buds and flowers ranging from bluish-pink to blue, and a sprawling habit that lies flat before turning upward at the tips.
Common Names
Foothill Penstemon, Bunchleaf Penstemon, Foothill Beardtongue, Beardtongue, Blue Bedder Penstemon
Summary
Foothill Penstemon is a California native perennial with a woody base and upright, branching stems reaching about 1.5–2 ft tall; it has glossy blue-green foliage and is evergreen in mild climates. Blue to purple tubular flowers grow on the stems, attracting hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies.
Prefers full sun with well-drained soil and has low water needs once established; drought-tolerant and low-maintenance, it works well in native plant borders and habitat gardens and is deer-resistant; deadheading after flowering can encourage more blooms.
Lifecycle
Perennial
Height
2-5 feet
Spread
1-5 feet
Hardiness Zones
Zones 7-10
Sunlight Requirements
Ideally full sun, tolerates partial sun to partial shade.
Soil Type
Well-drained soil
Soil Drainage
Well-drained soil
Soil pH
6.0-7.5
Bloom Color
Blue to purple, up to magenta, with pinkish hues
Bloom Time
Spring and Summer
Foliage Color
Green
Fall Foliage Color
Green
Leaf Lifecycle
Deciduous
Growth Rate
Fast
Seasons of Interest
Spring and Summer
Propagation Methods
Seeds, Cuttings, Division
Attracts Wildlife
Attracts bees, hummingbirds, butterflies, and birds
Taxonomy
- Taxonomic Rank
- Species
- Author
- Lindl.
- Publication
- Edwards's Bot. Reg. 22: t. 1899 (1836)
Superior Taxa
- Kingdom
- Plantae
- Subkingdom
- Pteridobiotina
- Phylum
- Angiosperms
- Order
- Lamiales
- Family
- Plantaginaceae
- Genus
- Penstemon
Inferior Taxa
Penstemon heterophyllus var. australis Penstemon heterophyllus var. heterophyllus Penstemon heterophyllus var. purdyi
Synonyms
Penstemon heterophyllus subsp. heterophyllus Penstemon heterophyllus subsp. typicus