Foothill penstemon (Penstemon heterophyllus) is a stunning perennial with profuse clusters of blue to magenta tubular flowers. Foothill penstemon can be found in all major coastal mountain ranges and the northern Sierra Nevada foothills. It occurs in many local habitat types from grassland to chaparral to forests.

Foothill penstemon is a wonderful addition to front of borders. Blooming begins in May and continues for a month or two. Taking off dead flower stalks will induce more flowering. The plant’s stems can exceed 3 feet and may become woody at the base. Several cultivars have been developed for use in summer-dry climate and other low-water-use gardens, including 'Electric Blue,' 'Margarita BOP,' and 'Blue Springs' which may grow only 12 to 18 inches tall. 

This is a fast-growing, easy and hardy flowering plant that requires moderate water and sun to light shade. It is adaptable to different types of soil so long as drainage is good.  

Grows best in sandy, coarse-grained or other fast draining soil. Prefers sun in coastal sites, and sun or part shade in inland sites. Selected for the garden.

Grows best in sandy, coarse-grained or other fast draining soil. Prefers sun in coastal sites, and sun or part shade in inland sites. Selected for the garden.

Easy perennial. Great white flowers to contrast with the summer orange and red CA fuchsia and blue asters. Stays in a neat mound. Be sure to cut off flower stalks for more blooms but leave some to go to seed for the birds.

Margarita BOP Penstemon is a low-growing, evergreen perennial prized for its long-lasting, vibrant blue-to-rose-purple flowers. Thought to be a hybrid of Penstemon heterophyllus and Penstemon laetus, its name comes from where it thrived with little care—“Bottom of the Porch.”

This adaptable plant flourishes in various garden settings, from borders to rock gardens and slopes. It is drought-adapted once established and benefits from cutting back spent flower spikes to encourage reblooming. A magnet for hummingbirds and butterflies, margarita BOP penstemon is an excellent choice for pollinator-friendly landscapes.

Southern Foothill Penstemon (Penstemon heterophyllus var. australis) is a native perennial herb that grows in southern and central California. It tends to grow at elevations from 200-5200 feet.

Foothill Penstemon (Penstemon heterophyllus var. heterophyllus) is a native perennial herb that grows in northern, southern and central California. It tends to grow at elevations from 200-5200 feet.

Purdy's Foothill Penstemon (Penstemon heterophyllus var. purdyi) is a native perennial herb that grows in central and northern California. It tends to grow at elevations from 200-5200 feet.

Low Beardtongue (Penstemon humilis) is a native perennial herb that grows in Central and Northern California, primarily in the High Cascade Range and High Sierra Nevada regions. It tends to grow in open places, at elevations from 4900-9800 feet.

Low Beardtongue (Penstemon humilis var. humilis) is a native perennial herb that grows in central and northern California.

Penstemon incertus is a species of penstemon known by the common name Mojave beardtongue. It is endemic to California, where it can be found in many of the southeastern mountain ranges, including the southern reaches of the Sierra Nevada, the Tehachapis, and the mountains of the Mojave Desert region. It is a member of the flora in scrub and woodland, among Joshua Trees and in sandy washes. It is a rounded, branching, erect shrub reaching one meter in maximum height. The thick leaves are linear to lance-shaped with rolled, untoothed edges and reaching up to 7 centimeters. The hairy flower cluster produces several wide-mouthed tubular or funnel-shaped flowers measuring 2 to 3 centimeters long. The flowers are blue-purple, hairy on the outer surface and mostly hairless inside except for the hairy staminode.

Penstemon janishiae is a species of penstemon known by the common names Antelope Valley beardtongue and Janish's beardtongue. It is native to the northwestern United States in sections of Idaho, Oregon, Nevada and northestern California, where it is a member of the flora in sagebrush, woodland, and pine forests. It is a perennial herb with several hairy upright stems reaching up to about 25 centimeters tall. The leaves are up to 6 centimeters long, many located around the base of the plant and several pairs along each stem. The flower cluster produces several wide-mouthed tubular flowers 2 to 3 centimeters long. Each hairy, hairy flower is pale purple to pinkish or bluish in color with a dark-lined, pouchlike throat. The mouth of the flower is hairy and the protruding staminode is coated in bright orange or yellow hairs.

Penstemon labrosus is a species of penstemon known by the common name San Gabriel beardtongue. It is native to the Transverse Ranges of southern California, including the San Gabriel Mountains, and the Peninsular Ranges to the south, its distribution extending into Mexico. It grows in forest and woodland habitat. It is a perennial herb growing erect to about 70 centimeters tall. The long, paired leaves are linear in shape with rolled, untoothed edges, and reach over 8 centimeters in maximum length. The flower cluster produces bright red to orange or yellowish flowers 3 to 4 centimeters long. The upper lip is hood-shaped and the lower is divided into 3 narrow lobes which are sometimes reflexed. The flower is hairless, including the staminode.

Penstemon laetus is a species of penstemon in the Plantaginaceae (Plantain) family known by the common names Gay Penstemon and Mountain Blue Penstemon. It is native to the inland mountains of Oregon and California, where its distribution extends from the Klamath Mountains through the Sierra Nevada to the Transverse Ranges. It is found at elevations from 750 ft. to over 8,000 ft. where grows in forest, scrub, and other mountain habitats. It is a perennial herb growing erect to about 75 centimeters tall, its base becoming woody. The leaves are linear to lance-shaped and up to 10 centimeters long. The hairy flower cluster bears blue or purple flowers up to 3.5 centimeters long. The wide-mouthed tubular or funnel-shaped flower is hairy on the outer surface and mostly hairless on the inside. There are two recognized varieties in California, all commonly known as Mountain Blue Penstemon.

Mountain Blue Penstemon (Penstemon laetus var. laetus) is a native perennial herb that grows in northern, southern and central California. It tends to grow at elevations from 1300-8200 feet.

Mountain Blue Penstemon (Penstemon laetus var. leptosepalus) is a native perennial herb that grows in northern California. It tends to grow at elevations from 1300-5200 feet.

Mountain Blue Penstemon (Penstemon laetus var. sagittatus) is a native perennial herb that grows in Northern California, primarily in the Klamath Mountain Range, the Cascade Range Foothills and High Cascade Range regions. It tends to grow at elevations from 2000-5200 feet.

Penstemon monoensis is a species of penstemon known by the common name Mono penstemon. It is endemic to the White and Inyo Mountains of eastern California, where it grows in scrub, woodland, and sandy washes. It is a perennial herb growing erect to about 30 centimeters tall, gray-green in color from a dense coating of light hairs. The paired leaves are lance-shaped, sometimes toothed or wavy along the edges and up to 12 centimeters long. The glandular inflorescence bears cylindrical or funnel-shaped flowers in shades of bright to deep pink, measuring around 2 centimeters in length. The mouth of the flower may have a white or pale area on the floor with a patch of hairs, and the staminode is usually hairy.

Penstemon neotericus is a species of penstemon known by the common name Plumas County beardtongue. It is endemic to California, where it is known from the northern Sierra Nevada and adjacent southern peaks of the Cascade Range. It grows in forest, scrub, and other mountain habitat. It is a perennial herb growing erect to about 80 centimeters tall, becoming woody toward the base. The paired leaves are lance-shaped and nearly 9 centimeters in maximum length. The hairy flower cluster bears blue-purple or pinkish flowers up to 4 centimeters long. The flowers have white, mostly hairless mouths and hairless staminodes.

Penstemon newberryi is a species of penstemon known by the common name mountain pride. It is native to the mountains of northern California, Oregon, and Nevada, where it grows in rocky habitat, often at high elevation, such as talus. It is a bushy, mat-forming subshrub growing up to 30 centimeters tall. The leaves are mostly basal on the plant, oblong or oval and toothed, measuring 1 to 4 centimeters in length, with a few smaller pairs along the stem. The hairy flower cluster bears showy magenta flowers 2 to over 3 centimeters in length. The flower is generally tubular or funnel-shaped and has a coating of short to long and curly hairs in the mouth and on the staminode.

Berry's Mountain Pride (Penstemon newberryi var. berryi) is a native perennial herb that grows in Northern California, primarily in the Klamath Mountain Range region. It tends to grow at elevations from 5200-7500 feet.

Newberry's Penstemon (Penstemon newberryi var. newberryi) is a native perennial herb that grows in central and northern California. It tends to grow at elevations from 4300-11500 feet.

Sonoma Beardtongue (Penstemon newberryi var. sonomensis) is a rare native perennial herb that grows in Central and Northern California, primarily in the North Coast and North Coast Range regions.

Grows best in sandy, coarse-grained or other fast draining soil. Prefers sun in coastal sites, and sun or part shade in inland sites. Selected by Nevin smitth.

Penstemon pahutensis is a species of penstemon known by the common name Pahute Mesa beardtongue, or simply Pahute beardtongue. It is native to the desert hills and mountains of southern Nevada, including the Pahute Mesa for which it is named. It can also be found in a few areas over the border in California. It is a perennial herb growing up to 35 centimeters tall. The paired, narrow leaves are linear to lance-shaped and up to 10 centimeters long. The inflorescence bears blue-purple flowers up to 3 centimeters long. The inside of the wide mouth of the flower is lined with white or yellow hairs, and the staminode is coated in yellow hairs.

Palmer's Penstemon (Penstemon palmeri) is a member of the Plantaginaceae (Plantain) family, notable for its showy, rounded flowers. This plant grows erect and may reach two meters in maximum height but more often less. The leaves are generally oppositely arranged and have toothed margins. The flower cluster is a panicle or raceme with small leaves. The flower has a five-lobed calyx of sepals and a cylindrical corolla with may have an expanded throat. The flower is pink to blue-purple, and occasional specimens are red, yellow, or white. The staminode is partially hairy. There is one recognized variety, P. palmeri var. palmeri. Both are found in the arid mountains of Inyo and San Bernardino counties.

Hybrid of Penstemon palmeri and P. spectabilis. Grows best in sandy, coarse-grained or other fast draining soil. Selected for the garden.

Palmer's Penstemon (Penstemon palmeri var. palmeri) is a native perennial herb that grows in Northern, Southern and Central California, primarily in the Desert Mountains and Mojave Desert regions. It tends to grow in washes and canyon floors, at elevations from 3600-7500 feet.

Penstemon papillatus is a species of penstemon known by the common name Inyo beardtongue. The plant is endemic to California, where it is known only from the eastern Sierra Nevada and slopes to the east. It grows in rocky woodland and forest habitat types. Penstemon papillatus is a gray-green, hairy perennial herb growing up to about 40 centimeters tall, becoming woody toward the base. The paired leaves are roughly oval in shape and fused about the stem. The glandular inflorescence bears purple-blue flowers up to 3 centimeters long. The mouth of the flower is mostly hairless except for the yellow-haired staminode.

Small Penstemon (Penstemon parvulus) is a native perennial herb that grows in Central and Northern California, primarily in the Klamath Mountain Range and High Sierra Nevada regions. It tends to grow in rocky and open slopes, at elevations from 2400-9500 feet.

Penstemon patens is a species of penstemon known by the common name Lone Pine beardtongue. It is native to the central Sierra Nevada of California and slopes and plateau to the east, its distribution extending just into Nevada. It grows in forest, woodland, and scrub habitat types. It is a perennial herb producing hairless, waxy stems up to about 40 centimeters tall. The thick, lance-shaped leaves are up to 9 centimeters long and 2 wide. There are several surrounding the base of the plant and more pairs higher on the stem. The flower cluster bears wide-mouthed tubular flowers up to 2 centimeters long with corollas in shades of lavender to magenta. The flower is mostly hairless except for the staminode which may have a coat of orange or yellowish hairs.

Penstemon personatus is an uncommon species of penstemon known by the common name closethroat beardtongue. Penstemon personatus is endemic to the northernmost Sierra Nevada of California, where it is a member of the mountain forest flora.

Penstemon procerus is a species of penstemon known by the common name littleflower penstemon. It is native to western North America from Alaska to California to Colorado, as far east in Canada as Manitoba, where it grows in mountain habitat such as meadows, often in alpine climates. It is a perennial herb forming mats of herbage with some erect stems reaching about 40 centimeters in maximum height. There are several varieties which vary in morphology, some more decumbent than others, several which are known commonly as pincushion penstemons for their matted forms. In general, the leaves are lance-shaped to oval, plentiful around the base of the plant with smaller ones arranged in opposite pairs along the stem. The flower cluster is made up of one or more clusters of tubular flowers with lipped, lobed mouths. Each flower is no more than one centimeter in length and is purple to blue in color, often with a white throat. The outside of the flower is generally hairless, while the inside may be lined with white or yellowish hairs.

Small Flowered Penstemon (Penstemon procerus var. brachyanthus) is a native perennial herb that grows in Northern California, primarily in the North Coast, the Klamath Mountain Range and North Coast Range regions. It tends to grow in meadows, at elevations from 3900-7900 feet.

Western Small Flowered Penstemon (Penstemon procerus var. formosus) is a native perennial herb that grows in Central and Northern California, primarily in the Klamath Mountain Range and High Sierra Nevada regions. It tends to grow in meadows, at elevations from 8200-11800 feet.

Penstemon pseudospectabilis is a species in the Plantaginaceae (Plantain) family known by the common name Desert Beardtongue or Desert Penstemon. It is native to the southwestern United States, where it grows in desert and plateau habitat types, such as sandy washes, scrub, and woodland. In California it is found primarily in the Mojave Desert. The plant is generally a shrub growing to a maximum height of one meter, with many erect stems. The thin leaves are roughly oval with wide pointed tips and serrated edges. They are arranged oppositely in pairs and many pairs are completely fused at the bases about the stem, forming a disc. The flower cluster bears tubular flowers with expanded, lobed mouths and hairy hairs on most surfaces, except the hairless staminode. The flower may be up to 2.5 centimeters long and is reddish pink in color.

Like most Penstemons, this species is very showy when in flower. Though native to hot, arid locations it is adaptable to most of southern California and is tolerant of garden conditions. give it plenty of sun and fast drainage, When in bloom it will be constantly in use by bees, butterflies and hummingbirds.

Penstemon purpusii is an uncommon species of penstemon known by the common name Snow Mountain beardtongue. It is endemic to northern California, where it is known only from the Klamath Mountains and northern peaks of the North Coast Ranges. It grows in rocky open and forested mountain habitat. It is a perennial herb growing to a maximum height of 20 centimeters from a woody base. The leaves are 1 to 3 centimeters long, widely lance-shaped and sometimes folded lengthwise. The hairy flower cluster bears tubular flowers up to 3 centimeters long. They are generally purple-blue in color, often with white throats.

Penstemon roezlii is a species of penstemon known by the common name Roezl's penstemon. It is native to Oregon, western Nevada, and adjacent sections of northern California, including the Klamath Mountains and Sierra Nevada, where it grows in sagebrush and forest habitat types. It is a hairy, erect perennial herb growing to a maximum height of 55 centimeters from a woody, branching base. The leaves are up to7 centimeters long, linear to widely lance-shaped and often folded lengthwise. The glandular inflorescence bears wide-mouthed tubular flowers up to 2. 2 centimeters long in shades of blue-purple. The flowers are mostly hairless except for thin glandular hairs on the outer surfaces.

Penstemon rostriflorus is a species of penstemon known by the common name Bridge penstemon, or Bridges' penstemon. It is native to the southwestern United States, where it grows in many types of sagebrush, scrub, woodland, and forest habitat. It is a perennial herb growing in clumps of many erect stems from a woody base. It may reach one meter in height. The leaves are linear to lance-shaped, smooth-edged, and up to 7 centimeters long. The hairy flower cluster bears tubular red to orange-red flowers 2 to 3 centimeters long. The mouth of the flower has a hooded upper lip and a three-lobed lower lip.

Penstemon rupicola is a species of penstemon known by the common name cliff beardtongue. It is native to the west coast of the United States from Washington to the Klamath Mountains of far northern California, where it grows in rocky mountainous habitat. It is a clumpy, mat-forming subshrub growing no more than 14 centimeters high. The thick, waxy, oppositely arranged leaves are round or oval and up to 2 centimeters long. The showy wide-mouthed tubular flowers emerging from the mat may be nearly 4 centimeters in length and are shades of light purple to bright pink.

Rydberg's Penstemon (Penstemon rydbergii) is a native perennial herb that grows in Central and Northern California, primarily in the High Sierra Nevada region. It is moderately fast growing and moderately long-lived. It grows in an upright form to a height of 3 feet, with active growth during the spring. Flowers are blue and striking, and bloom in the mid summer. Leaves are medium green and deciduous. It tends to grow in moist meadows and streambanks, at elevations from 3,900-10,200 feet.

Mountain Meadow Beardtongue (Penstemon rydbergii var. oreocharis) is a native perennial herb that grows in central and northern California. It tends to grow in moist meadows and streambanks, at elevations from 3900-10200 feet.

Penstemon scapoides is an uncommon species of penstemon known by the common name pinyon beardtongue. It is endemic to Inyo County, California, where it grows in the scrub, woodlands, and forests of the mountain ranges above the desert. It is a clumpy perennial herb forming a dense mat of oval to rounded leaves and erect flowering stems which may exceed half a meter in height. The leaves are pale green and coated densely in hairs. The inflorescence bears tubular flowers each up to 3. 4 centimeters in length. The flowers are pale lavender to blue-purple and have yellowish hairs inside their mouths.

Royal Penstemon is native to the western United States where it can be found in many types of habitat, including plateau and foothill scrub and sub-alpine mountain forests. It is a perennial herb growing erect to a maximum height near 60 centimeters. The leaves are usually lance-shaped and sometimes folded lengthwise, measuring up to 9 centimeters long. They are arranged oppositely and often clasp the stem at the bases. The showy flower cluster bears tubular flowers with expanded mouths, the largest reaching nearly 4 centimeters in length. The flowers come in many shades of light to deep blue, lavender, and purple, and usually have white throats.

Showy penstemon (Penstemon spectabilis) lives up to its name, being the showiest of the penstemons. It grows fast, reaching 2 to 4 feet tall and 3 to 4 feet wide. This perennial bears spectacular wide-mouthed, tubular violet or purple-blue flowers from its first year on. In good conditions it may flower late winter into summer.

Showy penstemon is beautiful and easy to grow. It likes full sun and tolerates a variety of soils, including clay. If planted in an area that holds water better, it usually doesn't need supplementary summer water. The plant will flower more abundantly with occasional summer water (once per month) but may be shorter lived. It is fairly short lived even under the best of circumstances, typically lasting 5 to 10 years. However, it often self seeds.

This deer-resistant plant is great for wildlife, attracting a variety of native bees and hummingbirds for nectar. It is a larval host for a likely total of 13 butterfly and moth species.

Grows best in sandy, coarse-grained or other fast draining soil. Prefers sun in coastal sites, and sun or part shade in inland sites. Selected for the garden.

Grows best in sandy, coarse-grained or other fast draining soil. Selection made by TpF from a chance seedling.

Horticultural selection from Penstemon spectabilis. A variation of the gorgeous Penstemon spectabilis, or showy penstemon, P. Spectabilis 'Snow Dragon' is a rare beauty, flaunting petals of sparkling white instead of the sunset violet-blue of the species. 'Snow Dragon' also tends to grow more vigorously and have a fuller, bushier form than showy penstemon. The pure white blooms are abundant in spring and summer about April through June, contrasting nicely against the luxuriant green foliage. This perennial native plant grows to be about 3 feet high and wide, a nice addition to the back of a flowerbed or tucked into a rock garden. Penstemons tend to grow naturally in dry, rocky, well-draining places, often found basking in full sun on gravelly hill sides. Penstemon 'Snow Dragon' may tolerate a little shade, but produces the most flowers when given full sun. Fast growing and hardy, once established this flowering native needs supplemental water about once a month.

Showy Penstemon (Penstemon spectabilis var. spectabilis) is a native perennial herb that grows in Southern California, primarily in the Transverse Range and Peninsular Range regions. It tends to grow at elevations from 300-3600 feet.

Penstemon stephensii is an uncommon species of penstemon known by the common name Stephens' beardtongue, or Stephens' penstemon. It is endemic to California, where it is known only from the mountains of the Mojave Desert region. It grows in scrub, woodland, and sandy clearings, often on limestone substrates. It is an erect shrub which may reach 1. 5 meters in height, with many leafy flowering stems. The thin leaves are oval with wide triangular tips and serrated edges. The oppositely arranged pairs fuse about the stem at the bases, sometimes forming a disc. The inflorescence bears glandular, wide-mouthed tubular flowers up to 2 centimeters long in shades of pink or purple. The plant is pollinated by hummingbirds.

Penstemon sudans is a species of penstemon known by the common name Susanville beardtongue. It is native to northern Nevada and northeastern California, especially in the vicinity of Susanville, where it grows in scrub and forest habitat, often in rocky soils. It is a glandular, sticky perennial herb growing erect to a maximum height over half a meter. The toothed, oval leaves are 3 to 6 centimeters long. The inflorescence bears tubular flowers with wide mouths each divided into a double-lobed upper lip and a triple-lobed lower lip, the whole flower about a centimeter in length. It is cream-colored with dark-red lines.

Penstemon thompsoniae is a species of penstemon known by the common name Thompson's beardtongue. It is native to the southwestern United States where it grows in woodlands and other desert and plateau habitat, to the subalpine climate of local mountains. It is a mat-forming perennial herb, ashy gray-green with a thick coating of hairs, growing no more than 15 centimeters tall from a woody base. The oval or spoon-shaped leaves are up to 2 centimeters long. The short flower cluster bears wide-mouthed tubular purple flowers up to 2 centimeters in length. They are hairy on the outer surface and somewhat hairy on the inner, the staminode coated in long orange hairs. Of the two subspecies of this plant, only ssp. thompsoniae occurs throughout the species' range. Jaeger's beardtongue, ssp. jaegeri, is endemic to southern Nevada.

Penstemon thurberi is a species of penstemon known by the common name Thurber's beardtongue. It is native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico, where it grows in many types of desert and mountain habitat, including sandy flats, chaparral, scrub, and woodlands. It is a shrub growing erect and somewhat rounded in form, reaching around 80 centimeters in maximum height. Many slender stems emerge from its woody base. The leaves are narrow, linear in shape, with edges rolled upward nearly into a tube. The long flower cluster bears funnel-shaped lavender, pink, or pale blue-purple flowers up to 1.5 centimeters in length.

Penstemon tracyi is a rare species of penstemon known by the common names Trinity penstemon and Tracy's beardtongue. The plant is endemic to Trinity County, California, where it is known from fewer than 10 occurrences in the Trinity Alps, of the Klamath Mountains. It grows in exposed rocky outcrops and barren talus in the high mountains. Penstemon tracyi is a squat perennial herb growing no more than 12 centimeters tall. The hairless oval to rounded leaves are 1 to 2 centimeters long. The inflorescence bears dense clusters of tubular pink flowers each about a centimeter long. The mouth of the flower has hairs along the floor and a tuft of hairs at the tip of the staminode.

Penstemon utahensis is a species of penstemon known by the common names Utah beardtongue and Utah penstemon. It is native to the southwestern United States, where it grows in scrub, woodland, and canyons. It is a perennial herb growing erect to a maximum height near half a meter. The thick leaves are located around the base of the plant and in opposite pairs along the stem. The upper leaves are lance-shaped and often folded lengthwise, measuring up to 5. 5 centimeters long. The showy inflorescence bears many bright red-pink flowers up to 2. 5 centimeters in length. They are cylindrical, tubular, or funnel-shaped with wide, lobed mouths, and mostly hairless to slightly hairy and glandular.

Grows best in sandy, coarse-grained or other fast draining soil. Introduced by Rancho santa Ana Botanic Garden. Hybrid of p. centranthifolius and p. Spectabilis.