Share

Native Plant Database

Search for native plants by scientific name, common name or family. If you are not sure what you are looking for, try the Combination Search or our Recommended Species lists.

Search native plant database:
Name:    
Family:    

Penstemon fruticosus (Bush penstemon)
Bransford, W.D. and Dolphia

Penstemon fruticosus (Pursh) Greene

Bush penstemon, Shrubby beardtongue, Shrubby penstemon

Scrophulariaceae (Figwort Family)

USDA Symbol: PEFR3

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

This is a low, compact, shrubby, semi-evergreen perennial with pairs of dark-green leaves, some of which turn reddish in the fall before dropping. A bushy plant, usually much broader than tall, with large, showy, pale lavender or pale blue-violet, bilaterally symmetrical flowers in crowded, narrow clusters at stem ends. Tubular rose-purple to lavender flowers extend horizontally in short, spike-like clusters. The entire plant is 6-16 in. tall.

In a genus with many beautiful species, this one may be the most spectacular. Bright green, leafy patches cascade down banks and between rocks, topped with a dense display of subtly shaded flowers that butterflies seem to find especially attractive.

 

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Leaf: Green
Flower:
Fruit:
Size Class: 1-3 ft.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Pink , Purple
Bloom Time: May , Jun , Jul , Aug

Distribution

USA: ID , MT , OR , WA , WY
Canada: BC
Native Distribution: E. of the Cascade summits from s. B.C. to c. OR, e. to the Rockies of MT & WY
Native Habitat: Open, rocky or wooded foothill & higher elevation sites
USDA Native Status: L48(N), CAN(N)

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Medium
Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Dry
CaCO3 Tolerance: Medium
Soil Description: Dry, rocky soil.
Conditions Comments: Not Available

Benefit

Use Wildlife: Hummingbirds
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Attracts: Hummingbirds

Value to Beneficial Insects

Special Value to Native Bees

This information was provided by the Pollinator Program at The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.

Propagation

Description: Propagation by cuttings is quite easy. Seeds germinate without treatment, but yield is low. Young seedling tend to damp off.
Seed Collection: Not Available
Seed Treatment: Not Available
Commercially Avail: yes

Find Seed or Plants

Find seed sources for this species at the Native Seed Network.

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is either on display or available from the following:

Native Seed Network - Corvallis, OR

Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

USDA: Find Penstemon fruticosus in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Penstemon fruticosus in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Penstemon fruticosus

Metadata

Record Modified: 2007-01-01
Research By: TWC Staff

Go back