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Electric Blue Penstemon

Penstemon heterophyllus 'Electric Blue'

$9.59
$9.59 $11.99
per Plant - 5" Deep Pot
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ZONES  5-9 | Good to grow! Zone
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• Penstemon heterophyllus 'Electric Blue' is a selected form of the Foothills Beardtongue, a small growing evergreen shrub from California
• It blooms from late spring to summer with a memorable display of intensely blue flowers
• Provides a rich source of natural nectar for hummingbirds and butterflies
• Drought resistant/drought tolerant plant (xeric)

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Description

15-18" tall x 10-12" wide. Penstemon heterophyllus 'Electric Blue' (Beardtongue) is a selected form of the Foothills Beardtongue that blooms in late spring with a memorable display of intensely blue flowers. Native to California, this species grows as a small evergreen shrub with attractive fine-textured foliage. It grows best in "lean", fast draining soil with full sun and very little additional irrigation once established. Deadheading will keep the plant tidy and the beautiful foliage in good condition.

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

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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

Early to mid summer

Advantages

  • Bee Friendly
  • Attracts Hummingbirds
  • Evergreen
  • Low Maintenance
  • Container Planting
  • Deer Resistant
  • Rabbit Resistant

Additional information

Mature Height

15-18" tall

Mature Spread

10-12" wide

Soil Type

  • Average Soil

Soil Moisture

  • Waterwise

Planting Time

  • Fall

Growing Zones

  • Zone 5
  • Zone 6
  • Zone 7
  • Zone 8
  • Zone 9

Neonicotinoid Free

Yes

Ships As

Planting Kit

Can Send To PO Box

No

Ships to Hawaii & Alaska

No

Overall rating: 4.548387 / 5 from 31 reviews.

AI Generated Review Summary

The Electric Blue Penstemon is a small evergreen shrub native to California, known for its intensely blue flowers that bloom in late spring. Customers appreciate its attractive fine-textured foliage and the plant's ability to thrive in lean, fast-draining soil with full sun. Deadheading helps maintain its tidy appearance and good foliage condition.

Summary topics

  • Flower Color: 29%
  • Plant Quality: 53%

Review topics: [color, water, arrived, plant, flowers, blooms, growing, penstemon].

Review highlights

  • "Just beautiful plants!" — Mary C.
  • "This is the longest blooming penstemon in my garden." — Gnosishead
  • "High Country packs plants very well." — CJ

Reviews

I like this Penstemon

"Very pretty plant took off quick I am very happy with this plant. This came with a huge order I did, came in very good shape. Boxing was good"

— Krystal M. (5/5)

Good size plant

"Very cute plant came in healthy has some flower buds already forming. The top on the stem was bent but is not broken so hopefully it'll fix itself."

— Krystal M. (5/5)

Can't wait to see this mature!

"Quick shipping! All the plants were packaged safely. The plants were all healthy and now pushing a lot of growth! Will definitely buy more from this company 🥰🥰"

— Ravelle W. (5/5)

"Just planted. Shipping was hard on the plants so I will see what happens, looking forward to them growing."

— Pamela (4/5)

Love

"Love"

— Diantha W. (5/5)

Never grew Penstemon before. I

"Never grew Penstemon before. I put them in the ground, and they have taken off. They’re my new go to plant."

— Robert G. (5/5)

"Came in perfect condition much better than some of their competitors."

— Damon (5/5)

"Arrived very nice and healthy"

— Sheila (5/5)

Healthy Plants

"Arrived well packaged and healthy, can't wait to see them do their thing!"

— Tim B. (5/5)

"Arrived fast and healthy"

— Debbie (5/5)

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