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Native Plant Database

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Penstemon heterophyllus (Bunchleaf penstemon)
Bransford, W.D. and Dolphia

Penstemon heterophyllus Lindl.

Bunchleaf penstemon, Foothill beardtongue, Foothill penstemon

Scrophulariaceae (Figwort Family)

USDA Symbol: pehe3

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

A small, shrub-like perennial, evergreen in mild climates, with a low, neat habit, 1-1 1/2 ft. high. Showy multitudes of 1 in., blue or violet flowers bloom among dark-green foliage.

More adaptable to garden conditions than most dryland penstemons; quite drought and heat tolerant.

 

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

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

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Blue , Purple
Bloom Time: Apr , May , Jun , Jul

Distribution

USA: CA
Native Distribution: Coast Ranges from Humboldt to San Diego Cos., CA
Native Habitat: Dry hillsides below 5500 ft.
USDA Native Status: L48(N)

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry
Soil Description: Dry, rocky soils.
Conditions Comments: More adaptable to garden conditions than most dryland penstemons. Quite drought and heat tolerant. A second flowering can be induced by trimming the flowering heads after flowering.

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: Propagate by seed sown in fall.
Seed Collection: Not Available
Seed Treatment: Germination is best with cold-moist stratification but it is not necessary.
Commercially Avail: yes

Find Seed or Plants

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
Tohono Chul Park, Inc. - Tucson, AZ

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

Metadata

Record Modified: 2009-02-21
Research By: TWC Staff

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