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Bransford, W.D. and Dolphia

Penstemon spectabilis

Penstemon spectabilis Thurb. ex A. Gray

Showy Penstemon, Showy Beardtongue, Royal Penstemon, Royal Beardtongue

Scrophulariaceae (Figwort Family)

Synonym(s):

USDA Symbol: pesp3

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

This is an extremely showy perennial. Its leafy stems rise to 3+ ft. and bear a spectacular display of up to 100 flowers on the upper half of the stem. The inflated, tubular flowers range in color from lavender to purple to pink. Pairs of bright-green, toothed leaves clasp the stem.

From the Image Gallery

3 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Up to about 4 feet tall, often shorter.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Pink , Blue , Purple
Bloom Time: Apr , May , Jun , Jul
Bloom Notes: Lavender, blue, pink or purple, with reddish purple nectar guides. Throat is lighter in color, sometimes nearly white.

Distribution

USA: CA
Native Distribution: Cismontane slopes in s. CA
Native Habitat: Dry washes & disturbed areas below 6000 ft.

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Dry
Soil pH: Circumneutral (pH 6.8-7.2)
Soil Description: Rocky soils.
Conditions Comments: Overwatered plants are susceptible to root rot. This species often self-seeds.

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 stem cuttings and root division is possible but seed is the easiest method. Plant in spring. Division should be in the fall; softwood cutting should be taken in summer.
Seed Treatment: Germination is best with cold-moist stratification but no treatment may give satisfactory results.
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 on display at the following locations:

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

Web Reference

Webref 30 - Calflora (2018) Calflora
Webref 37 - Calscape (2019) California Native Plant Society
Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter

Additional resources

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

Metadata

Record Modified: 2023-02-22
Research By: TWC Staff

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