Native Plants

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.

Enter a Plant Name:
Or you can choose a plant family:

Bransford, W.D. and Dolphia

Penstemon azureus

Penstemon azureus Benth.

Azure Penstemon, Azure Beardtongue, Sky-blue Penstemon, Sky-blue Beardtongue

Scrophulariaceae (Figwort Family)

Synonym(s):

USDA Symbol: PEAZ

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

The basal stems of this perennial are subwoody and much branched, bearing narrow, blue-green leaves. The 8-24 in. flowering stalks carry many large, strongly two-lipped, blue to purple flowers which are yellow in bud. The plant maintains a neat, tidy habit.

Penstemon azureus attracts hummingbirds.

From the Image Gallery

2 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Up to about 2 feet tall.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Blue , Purple , Violet
Bloom Time: May , Jun , Jul , Aug

Distribution

USA: CA , OR
Native Distribution: Sierra foothills from Fresno Co., n. to s.w. OR
Native Habitat: Dry, rocky slopes & banks; 3500-7500 ft.

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Dry
Soil Description: Well-drained, dry soil.

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 using half-woody cuttings or seed.
Seed Treatment: Seeds germinate without pretreatment.
Commercially Avail: yes

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

Web Reference

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

Metadata

Record Modified: 2023-02-21
Research By: TWC Staff

Go back