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Penstemon pinifolius Luminous

Luminous Pineleaf Beardtongue

This is an exceptional small growing, evergreen plant that covers itself with hundreds of bright light orange, yellow throated flowers in late spring-early summer. A western native perennial, Luminous Pineleaf Beardtongue thrives in well-drained soils with plenty of sunlight. High Country Gardens 2016 Plant of the Year, 2016 Green Thumb Award Winner.
Zones5 - 9
Advantages
Native
Evergreen
Light Requirements
Full Sun
Annual Rainfall
10 to 20"
20 to 30"
30 to 40" (with care)
Mature Height8-10" tall
Mature Spread12-15" wide
Bloom TimeLate spring through early summer
ShippingNo longer available this season. Learn More…
SizeNo
SKUHC016189

USDA Hardiness Planting Zones

To determine if a plant is sufficiently cold hardy, the USDA created numbered zones indicating winter low temperatures; the lower the zone number the colder the winter.

  • If the coldest winter temperature expected in your area is -15°F (zone 5) then any plants rated zones 3-5 will survive the winter temperatures in your area.
  • If you live in very warm winter areas (zones 9-11) plants with zones 3-4 ratings are not recommended. The lack of freezing winter temperatures do not provide a time for winter dormancy (rest).

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HC016189
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8-10 in. tall x 12-15 in. wide. The bright light orange, yellow-throated flowers of 'Luminous' light up like a glowing orange bouquet of light when they capture the low-angled morning and late afternoon sunshine. This is an exceptional small growing, evergreen shrublet that covers itself with luminous orange flowers in late spring-early summer. A western native perennial, Pineleaf Beardtongue thrives in well-drained soils with plenty of sun and makes a fine edging plant with its tidy growth habit. Cutting propagated. To care for Penstemon pinifolius Luminous: deadhead in early to mid-summer after flowering has finished. It is evergreen, so don't cut it back in spring. Add organic fertilizer in the fall. High Country Gardens 2016 Plant of the Year, 2016 Green Thumb Award Winner.

Flat of 9 plants will cover 9-12 square feet when planted together

More Information
Associated SKUsHC016189
Common Name
Luminous Pineleaf Beardtongue
Botanical Name
Penstemon pinifolius Luminous
Zones
5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Light Requirements
Full Sun
Flower Color
Orange
Mature Height
8-10" tall
Mature Spread
12-15" wide
Bloom Time
Late spring through early summer
Ships As
Potted Plant
Evergreen Foliage
Yes
Soil Type
Low Fertility Soil, Well-Drained Soil
Soil Moisture
Drought Resistant / Waterwise
Amount Of Rain
10 to 20", 20 to 30", 30 to 40" (with care)
Advantages
Native, Evergreen
Awards
Perennial Plant of the Year, Green Thumb
Special Groups
High Country Gardens Exclusive, High Country Gardens Introduction
Ideal Region
West, Southwest, Pacific Northwest
Planting Time
Spring / Summer, Fall
Neonicotinoid Free
Yes - Learn More
Native To
North America
Item Unit Of Measure
Tray
Ships To Canada
No
Planting Guides

Tips for growing Penstemon (Beardtongue)

Penstemon are generally evergreen and have beautiful flowers that are very attractive to hummingbirds. Most varieties are rabbit resistant.

  1. They need “elbow room,” maximum sun, heat and don’t like to be crowded by other plants.
  2. Plant only in well-drained soils; clay soils and Penstemon are incompatible.
  3. Avoid overly enriched soils; too much compost and fertilizer will shorten their lifespan.
  4. They establish quickly and the amount and frequency of watering needs to be reduced after about 8 to 10 weeks to create dry conditions.
  5. When using drip irrigation, be sure to put the emitter off to the side of the plant, not right on top of the root ball to avoid overwatering the plant.
  6. Plant high, leaving the top of the rootball just above the surrounding soil to avoid burying the crown of the plant.
  7. Mulch with gravel or pine needles in arid climates. No mulch is needed where conditions are moister. Always avoid bark, grass clippings, or compost as mulch materials.
  8. Allow some of the plants to set seed (don't deadhead all of the flower spikes)*.
  9. Fertilize sparingly. One time each year in the fall is enough. Apply a light application of an organic or natural fertilizer such as Yum Yum Mix as a top dressing around the plants. Don't use high nitrogen water soluble fertilizer like Miracle Gro

*To keep penstemon that have finely textured or matted evergreen foliage looking their best, you'll want to 'deadhead" them. Shear off the fading flowering spikes just as the plant is going out of flower. Gently bunch the flower spikes together with one hand and cut them off at the point where they go down into the mat of foliage with your clipper in your other hand. Recommended for the following varieties: P. pinifolius types (‘Compactum', ‘Mersea Yellow', ‘Nearly Red', ‘Magdalena Sunshine' and ‘Tall Orange Mix'), as well as Penstemon linarioides v. coloradensis and Penstemon virens ('Blue Lips').

More in-depth guidance for growing Penstemon: Watch our video: How To Plant Penstemon or read articles: Growing Penstemon, Penstemon for the Waterwise Garden, David’s Favorite Plants: Pineleaf Beardtongue, The Beardtongue Family: Penstemania for Penstemon and The Genus Penstemon: The Royalty of American Wildflowers The Genus Penstemon: The Royalty of American Wildflowers (Part 2).

View more Planting Guides, or download our complete Planting Guide for tips on caring for your plants when you receive your order, as well as planting instructions for Perennials, Spring-Planted Bulbs, Fall-Planted Bulbs, Cacti & Succulents, Xeric Plants and more.
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