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Penstemon heterophyllus
Penstemon heterophyllus Lindl.
Bunchleaf Penstemon, Bunchleaf Beardtongue, Foothill Penstemon, Foothill Beardtongue
Scrophulariaceae (Figwort Family)
Synonym(s):
USDA Symbol: PEHE3
USDA Native Status: L48 (N)
A small, shrub-like perennial, evergreen in mild climates, with a low, neat habit, 1-5 ft. high. Showy multitudes of 1 in., blue to violet or purple flowers bloom among dark-green foliage.
More adaptable to garden conditions than most dryland penstemons; quite drought and heat tolerant.
From the Image Gallery
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Herb
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Up to about 5 feet tall.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: Blue , Purple , VioletBloom Time: Apr , May , Jun , Jul
Distribution
USA: CANative Distribution: Coast Ranges from Humboldt to San Diego Cos., CA
Native Habitat: Dry hillsides below 5500 ft.
Growing Conditions
Light Requirement: Part ShadeSoil Moisture: Dry
Soil Description: Dry, rocky soils.
Conditions Comments: More adaptable to garden conditions than most dryland penstemons. Quite drought and heat tolerant. A second flowering can be induced by trimming the flowering heads after flowering.
Value to Beneficial Insects
Special Value to Native BeesThis information was provided by the Pollinator Program at The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.
Propagation
Description: Propagate by seed sown in fall.Seed Treatment: Germination is best with cold-moist stratification but it is not necessary.
Commercially Avail: yes
Find Seed or Plants
View propagation protocol from Native Plants Network.
From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:Santa Barbara Botanic Garden - Santa Barbara, CA
Tohono Chul Park, Inc. - Tucson, AZ
Bibliography
Bibref 995 - Native Landscaping from El Paso to L.A. (2000) Wasowski, S. and A. WasowskiSearch More Titles in Bibliography
Web Reference
Webref 30 - Calflora (2018) CalfloraWebref 37 - Calscape (2019) California Native Plant Society
Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter
Additional resources
USDA: Find Penstemon heterophyllus in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Penstemon heterophyllus in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Penstemon heterophyllus
Metadata
Record Modified: 2023-02-22Research By: TWC Staff