Rocky Mountain Penstemon

Penstemon plants landscape color

Last updated on November 7th, 2024 at 06:39 am

Penstemon plants for landscape color.  They will bloom from early spring until mid-fall with the majority of flowers showing up all spring long. They tolerate sandy soils which makes them perfect for the southwest. These plants are also called “Beardtongues“.  They are deciduous and the flowers can be used as a floral arrangement.

Penstemon plants red rocks beard tongue

Where to plant Penstemons?

They grow tall best to plant in the background in front of smaller perennials or annuals such as petunias or verbenas.  Use them in mass for a neat early spring show of flowers.  It is considered a herbaceous perennial (non-woody plant) throughout the southwest. They love full sun and are moderate to low-water plants.

Do Hummingbirds like this plant?

Hummingbirds aren’t the only ones drawn to penstemons; butterflies are equally attracted to these vibrant blooms. Have you ever noticed how these delicate insects hover around gardens filled with penstemons? It’s not just their bright colors that lure them in. Penstemons provide a rich source of nectar, making them a top choice for garden enthusiasts looking to support local wildlife.

So, if you’re planning a garden that will buzz with life, consider adding these plants. You’ll be doing more than beautifying your space; you’ll create a lively spot that supports both birds and butterflies alike. The tubular flowers are perfect for hummingbirds and they are considered perennials in the lower elevations of the American Southwest which means they come back year after year.

Penstemon plants for your landscape.


Red Rocks Penstemon

Penstemon plants for landscape color


The Red Rocks Penstemon has showy spikes of bright rose-red flowers. They have mounded dark green foliage throughout summer. This is a native hybrid and can tolerate poor soils and conditions. It will get about 2 ft. tall but the spikey bloom will shoot out another 1-2 ft. taller.

 


Penstemon strictus. (Rocky Mountain Penstemon)

Penstemon Plants for Landscape Garden

 


There are numerous types of Penstemons.  Check out Monrovia’s page about other hybrid Penstemons plants.

Use the Hyssop plant as a companion plant.

Tags: , , , ,
Previous Post
Spanish Broom Plant Las Cruces, NM
Outdoor Plants Perennials Xeriscaping

Spanish Broom Plant

Next Post
herbs-indoors
Guzman's Greenhouse Posts Indoor Plants Outdoor Plants

How to grow herbs

Comments

    • Marilyn Sullivan
    • April 21, 2018
    Reply

    How do you rid roses of aphids?

      • Paul Guzman
      • April 21, 2018
      Reply

      Hello, Marilynn. Aphids love the new shoots of rose plants. You can view a post on Rose bush problems by clicking here. There are organic solutions also on that page also.
      Thanks for commenting.
      Paul

    • Karla Larsen
    • May 13, 2018
    Reply

    Hi Paul, My Firecracker Penstomon blumed beautifully this spring but now it looks really bad! Pretty much everything (leaves & bloom stems) has turned brown and dried up. Should I cut it all way back? Could I have watered it too much? Or not enough?
    Thanks,
    Karla

    1. Reply

      Hard to say what the problem could have been. Possible mites may have attacked it. Mite damage will turn plants brown then dry up. Can u send photo? To my email address?

    • Karla Larsen
    • May 15, 2018
    Reply

    Hi, Thanks for answering…for some reason I can’t seem to download my phone pics to this computer. ( I’ve done it before!) I did check closely and did not see any evidence of any kind of infestation.
    (to my untrained eye)…We’re leaving for a month starting tomorrow so I just cut it all the way back and will see how it looks when we return. Thanks again!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.