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Showy Penstemon

Penstemon spectabilis

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1 gallon

Showy Penstemon

Out of stock

2'x3'

Sizes:

Showy Penstemon – Penstemon spectabilis

Also known as: Showy Beardtongue

Showy Penstemon is one of the most striking native perennials of Southern California, commonly found in sage scrub and chaparral plant communities. It lives up to its name with spectacular violet to purple-blue, wide-mouthed tubular flowers. This fast-growing perennial reaches 2 to 4 feet tall and 3 to 4 feet wide. It begins flowering its first year, with blooms appearing from late winter through spring in the low desert and into summer at higher elevations. In the Coachella Valley, it does best in filtered sun and well-drained soil but tolerates clay.

This species is particularly showy when planted among Deergrass (Muhlenbergia rigens) or in meadow plantings for dramatic spring color. While it may not reseed well in hot low-elevation climates due to a lack of winter chill, the seeds still provide ecological value. It is both deer and rabbit resistant, and combines well with boulders, banks, and other native perennials.

Showy Penstemon is native to Southern California and parts of Baja California, with its natural range including the foothills of the Peninsular and Transverse Ranges. It is not native to the Colorado Desert, but performs well in low-elevation desert gardens when sited properly.

Wildlife Value

Host Plant: Documented to support larvae of up to 13 species of butterflies and moths
Nectar Source: Sphinx Moths (Family Sphingidae); Monarch (Danaus plexippus)
Bird Resources: Caterpillars; Insects; Seeds; Nectar
Bird Species: Anna’s Hummingbird (Calypte anna); Costa’s Hummingbird (Calypte costae); Black-throated Sparrow (Amphispiza bilineata)
Bees: Generalist native bees; Leafcutter bees (Megachile spp.); Sweat bees (Family Halictidae)

Plant Care

Native region:

California Native

Water needs:

Low

Exposure:

Filtered Sun

Mature size:

2'x3'

Growth rate:

Moderate

Flower color:

Blue

Flower season:

Spring

Pruning:

None

Cold Hardiness:

0 Degrees

Nectar-producing:

Yes

Attracts pollinators:

Yes

Nighttime pollinators:

Yes

Butterflies or Moths:

Yes

Monarchs:

Yes

Larval host:

Yes

Bees:

Yes

Bats:

Birds:

Yes

Nest site:

Nest materials:

Rabbit-resistant:

Yes

Tortoises:

Yes

Growing Plants in the Desert — Important Information

The information presented here is, to the best of my knowledge, accurate and based on reliable research, personal experience in my own garden, observations from other gardens I’ve visited, and time spent studying plants in their native habitats. I always welcome your feedback and experiences to help me continue educating others!

Cacti:
In my experience, cacti are much happier in filtered shade here in the low desert of the Coachella Valley. Their colors are more vibrant and they tend to bloom more profusely, especially the non-native varieties. If you look closely at how our native barrel cactus and beavertail prickly pear grow in the wild, you’ll often find them tucked among rocks or beneath the shelter of creosote and other shrubs.

⚠️ A note of caution: Cacti and succulents are often illegally collected from the wild, which not only damages plant populations but also disturbs entire ecosystems. In some cases, wild populations of cacti have even gone extinct because of this practice. When purchasing these plants, always be sure they’ve been legally obtained. Look for nursery-grown stock or plants with a native plant certification, and keep that documentation for your records.

Light Requirements:
In our desert (Sonoran/Colorado), “full sun” doesn’t always mean what you might think. Many so-called full-sun plants benefit from and actually appreciate some late-afternoon filtered light—especially during the intense summer months.