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Davidson's Penstemon

Penstemon davidsonii (West Jordan Valley Form)

$7.69
$7.69 $10.99
per Plant - 2.5" Pot
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ZONES  5-8 | Good to grow! Zone
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• Huge lavender-pink flowers held over its dark evergreen foliage combine to make this Davidson's Beardtongue a fantastic little garden shrub
• Normally a finicky species, our selected form of Penstemon davidsonii has proven itself to be easy-to-grow and long-lived in lean, well-drained soil
• Flowers are highly attractive to hummingbirds and native bees, and this host plant supports over a dozen species of moths and butterflies
• Exclusively available at High Country Gardens

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Description

8-10" tall x 12-15" wide. Huge lavender-pink flowers held over its dark green evergreen foliage combine to make this little beardtongue a fantastic little garden shrub. Normally a finicky species, our selected form (propagated by cuttings from one original plant), has proven itself to be easy-to-grow and long-lived in lean, well-drained soil. Outside of the Pacific NW, plant it in afternoon shade

Planting & Care

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 Grow.

*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: Growing Penstemon, The Beardtongue Family: Penstemania for Penstemon.

Shipping

As soon as your order is placed you will receive a confirmation email. You will receive a second email the day your order ships telling you how it has been sent. Some perennials are shipped as potted plants, some as perennial roots packed in peat.  The ‘Plant Information’ section describes how that item will ship. All perennials and fall-planted bulbs are packaged to withstand shipping and are fully-guaranteed. Please open upon receipt and follow the instructions included.

Perennials and fall-planted bulbs are shipped at the proper planting time for your Growing Zone. Perennial and fall-planted bulb orders will arrive separately from seeds. If your order requires more than one shipment and all items are shipping to the same address, there is no additional shipping charge. See our shipping information page for approximate ship dates and more detailed information. If you have any questions, please call Customer Service at (801) 769-0300 or contact us by email or chat.

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Key Features

Light Requirements

  • Full Sun

Water Tolerance

Low-Water

Bloom Time

Late spring through summer

Advantages

  • Attracts Hummingbirds
  • Native
  • Evergreen
  • Deer Resistant
  • Rabbit Resistant

Additional information

Mature Height

8-10" tall

Mature Spread

12-15" wide

Soil Type

  • Well-Drained Soil
  • Low Fertility Soil
  • Sandy Soil

Soil Moisture

  • Waterwise

Planting Time

  • Spring / Summer

Special Groups

  • High Country Gardens Exclusive
  • High Country Gardens Introduction

Native To

North America

Growing Zones

  • Zone 5
  • Zone 6
  • Zone 7
  • Zone 8

Neonicotinoid Free

Yes

Ships As

Potted Plant
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Overall rating: 4.5 / 5 from 10 reviews.

AI Generated Review Summary

Summary topics

Review topics: ["penstemon","growing","mat","plant"].

Review highlights

Reviews

Patience!

"I’m pleasantly surprised with the first blossoming of my Penstemon Davidson. I planted it spring of 2024 and it never flowered. I emailed high country last year and was told they were surprised the plants survived at all, being in CT. I was thinking to dig it out this year…so glad it didn’t!! I’m in zone 7, with somewhat sandy soil, full am sun and afternoon shade. Basically what is recommended. So, I recommend this pretty plant and will mention to just be patient. (Idk who I spoke with, but they didn’t read their own information) And the slew of rabbits who scuttle throughout the neighborhood haven’t touched it!"

— LL (5/5)

successful low evergreen mat, non running

"have grown for two years. survived hard freeze, soggy winter, and dry summer. slow spread, neat, no rhizomes. . purple flowers attract bees. nice to have a low evergreen . might look good alternated with manzanitas."

— Connie V. (5/5)

Exceptional quality.

"Every native Penstemon (14 plants) survived and is thriving. Few flowers this first planting but roots are being established. Looking forward to next Spring's blooms."

— Jerry (5/5)

Waiting

"I hope planting these in New England is not affecting the growth of my plants. I received & planted them late April. I have met all the requirements for them and although they arrived healthy and still look fine, they haven't grown at all. I'm being patient but also longing for some additional signs…growth…that I'll possibly have a few flowers this summer"

— Beach G. (4/5)

So far so good

"Received several of these plants to replace an out of control ground cover. The plants were pretty small but have so far done fine in the ground. Waiting to see how the spreading habit turns out. #sweepstakes"

— Tangy (4/5)

survived the freeze!!

"realky happy with this penstemon, slow to start but now has spread to about a foot wide. evergreen, handling our oregon rain, as well as drought and heat in summers. i was surprised it survived our week of ice storms in the teens this winter. i plan to spread it all around. cant believe my only source for a native pnw penstemon is new mexico. longterm fan of high country gardens!"

— Pdxc (5/5)

Growing well.

"This plant arrived too late to bloom, so looking forward to next Spring. The plants have grown nicely and look very healthy. I would recommend it at this point, but only if it blooms in the Spring."

— ADW (4/5)

Yes I would buy this again love it great heat tolerance

"Thank u very much plant was shipped on time and arrived in very good condition I am very very happy 😊"

— Christopher (5/5)

Nicer than expected!

"I got this as part of a western region collection. I didn't really have a specific spot in mind, so I planted these little gems beside the showstopper pre-planned garden. Wow, it really took off and filled out the area. Lots of blooms, even when I hadn't gotten around to deadheading, Perfect height and density-- you can see all that purple from a good distance away. I'm very pleased with it. Will probably buy more."

— Debs (5/5)

Very thin hoping for better blooms next year.

"This is used in my flower garden"

— Txladybug (3/5)

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