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Shrubby Penstemon

Penstemon fruticosus

$15.99
$15.99 $0.00
per Plant - 5" Deep Pot
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ZONES  3-9 | Good to grow! Zone
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  • Shrubby Penstemon is a western native wildflower, growing from Wyoming and Montana to Oregon and Washington
  • These cold-hardy plants are unusually long-lived for penstemons, enjoying lifespans more like shrubs than perennials
  • Excellent pollinator plants; attractive to many bees and butterflies
  • Superior drought tolerance compared to most penstemon
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Description

Growing as a subshrub (a miniature version of a woody shrub) Shrubby Penstemon invests for the long-haul. If given well-drained soil, occasional irrigation, and some gravel mulch, Shrubby Penstemon is exceptionally long-lived and quite drought tolerant. Expect tubular, lavender to violet-colored flowers in a heavy flush in late spring or early summer and then, if deadheaded, continued sputter bloom lightly through early fall.

These flowers are attractive to hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees, including native bees. Unlike most penstemon which are fully herbaceous and die to the ground each winter, the woody scaffolding on this plant and its semi-evergreen leaves give it good interest for most of the year, especially when its glossy, rounded foliage colors dark red to purple in late autumn or early winter before falling. Among the best of all plant picks for rock gardens and crevice gardens.

A tip: in hotter portions of our region, like Denver, this plant appreciates some dappled light or true shade during the hottest hours of the afternoon.

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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We're sorry, this product cannot ship to: Canada, Puerto Rico, Alaska, Hawaii, US Virgin Islands, and Guam

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

  • Morning Sun & Afternoon Shade
  • Full Sun

Water Tolerance

Low-Water

Bloom Time

Late spring to early fall

Advantages

  • Bee Friendly
  • Attracts Butterflies
  • Attracts Hummingbirds
  • Attracts Beneficial Insects
  • Native
  • Low Maintenance
  • Rock Gardens

Additional information

Mature Height

8-24" tall

Mature Spread

24-36" wide

Soil Type

  • Average Soil
  • Sandy Soil
  • Well-Drained Soil

Soil Moisture

  • Average
  • Dry

Planting Time

  • Fall

Native To

North America

Growing Zones

  • Zone 3
  • Zone 4
  • Zone 5
  • Zone 6
  • Zone 7
  • Zone 8
  • Zone 9

Can Send To PO Box

No

Ships to Hawaii & Alaska

No

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