Native Plants
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.
Penstemon barbatus
Penstemon barbatus (Cav.) Roth
Scarlet Bugler, Beard-lip Penstemon, Beard-lip Beardtongue, Red Penstemon, Red Beardtongue, Goldenbeard Penstemon, Goldenbeard Beardtongue, Saint Joseph's Staff, Varita De San Jose
Scrophulariaceae (Figwort Family)
Synonym(s): Penstemon barbatus var. coccineus
USDA Symbol: PEBA2
USDA Native Status: L48 (N)
Slender, bilaterally symmetrical, scarlet flowers hanging slightly in a long open cluster above sparsely leaved stems. Brilliant scarlet flowers are borne in profusion on the 2-4 ft. stalks of this penstemon. Blooms appear most profusely in the spring and again in the fall. Leaves are paired and the flowers are two-lipped.
This species is one of several penstemons with scarlet corollas. The genus name, from the Greek pen ("almost") and stemon ("thread"), refers to the slender fifth, sterile stamen.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: RedBloom Time: Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep , Oct
Distribution
USA: AZ , CO , NM , TX , UTNative Distribution: Sonora in Mexico, north through Arizona, New Mexico, and western Texas to Utah and Colorado
Native Habitat: Mesas; mountains
Growing Conditions
Water Use: LowLight Requirement: Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry
Soil Description: Rocky soils.
Conditions Comments: Not Available
Benefit
Use Wildlife: Attracts hummingbirds.Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Value to Beneficial Insects
Special Value to Native BeesThis information was provided by the Pollinator Program at The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.
Propagation
Description: Propagate by seed.Seed Collection: Not Available
Seed Treatment: Germination is best with cold-moist stratification.
Commercially Avail: yes
Find Seed or Plants
Find seed sources for this species at the Native Seed Network.
Mr. Smarty Plants says
Native grasses for medians in Colorado Springs
June 11, 2010
Our city has stopped watering our historic landscaped medians due to severe budget shortfalls. The medians were historically tree boulevards but have had curb and gutter and blue grass added over th...
view the full question and answer
From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:Texas Discovery Gardens - Dallas, TX
Tohono Chul Park, Inc. - Tucson, AZ
Native Seed Network - Corvallis, OR
Additional resources
USDA: Find Penstemon barbatus in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Penstemon barbatus in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Penstemon barbatus
Metadata
Record Modified: 2015-10-23Research By: TWC Staff