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Penstemon eatonii (Firecracker penstemon)
Wasowski, Sally and Andy

Penstemon eatonii Gray

Firecracker penstemon, Eaton's penstemon

Scrophulariaceae (Figwort Family)

USDA Symbol: peea

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

This perennial’s striking feature is its scarlet flowers. Five to ten long, narrow, tubular blossoms top each of the numerous 2 ft. high stems. Leaves are tough, leathery, and deep green, arranged in pairs along the coarse, purplish stems.

Firecracker Penstemon attracts hummingbirds to its tubular red flowers.

 

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

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

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Red
Bloom Time: May , Jun , Jul , Aug

Distribution

USA: AZ , CA , CO , NM , NV , UT
Native Distribution: S.w. CO & UT to c. AZ & s.w. CA
Native Habitat: Mesas; fields; roadsides; dry, rocky slopes at lower elevations
USDA Native Status: L48(N)

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Low
Light Requirement: Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry
CaCO3 Tolerance: High
Soil Description: Dry, gravelly soils.
Conditions Comments: This drought tolerant plant is excellent for dry, gravelly banks and background plantings.

Benefit

Use Wildlife: Firecracker penstemon attracts hummingbirds.
Conspicuous Flowers: yes

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: Most successfully propagated by stratified seed, although root division in late fall is possible.
Seed Collection: Not Available
Seed Treatment: Stratify at 40 degrees for 1-2 months before planting.
Commercially Avail: yes

Find Seed or Plants

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

View propagation protocol from Native Plants 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:

Santa Barbara Botanic Garden - Santa Barbara, CA
Native Seed Network - Corvallis, OR

Bibliography

Bibref 995 - Native Landscaping from El Paso to L.A. (2000) Wasowski, S. and A. Wasowski

Search More Titles in Bibliography

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

Metadata

Record Modified: 2010-07-23
Research By: TWC Staff

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