21 Stunning Penstemon Varieties to Brighten Your Garden
Eye-catching perennials that thrive in sun and support buzzing wildlife all season long.
Known for their vibrant, tubular blooms and reputation as pollinator magnets, Penstemons (also called beardtongues) are indispensable for gardeners seeking easy-care perennials with impressive color. Whether you prioritize drought-tolerance, unique hues, or season-long blooms, there is a penstemon for every style of garden. Explore 21 eye-catching penstemon varieties, their care requirements, and tips for adding these charming perennials to your landscape.
What Is Penstemon?
Penstemon is a large genus of perennials native primarily to North America. With over 250 species and numerous cultivated varieties, penstemons bring bold color and vertical interest to sunny beds and borders. Recognized by their showy, trumpet-shaped flowers, penstemons bloom profusely from late spring through fall, supporting both pollinators and gardeners alike with their reliability and beauty.
Key traits include:
- Bloom Time: Late spring to fall, depending on variety
- Flower Colors: Blue, purple, pink, white, red, yellow, and bicolors
- Height: Ranges from compact groundcovers to tall border plants
- Low Maintenance: Most varieties require little more than well-drained soil and sun
- Wildlife Friendly: Highly attractive to bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds
How to Use Penstemon in Your Garden
Penstemons are versatile performers, ideal for a range of garden styles. Consider using them for:
- Pollinator gardens – Plant in clusters to support bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.
- Mixed perennial borders – Their spire-like flowers add height and texture.
- Rock gardens – Dwarf species thrive in rocky, well-drained environments.
- Container plantings – Compact varieties fit well in pots for patios and decks.
- Cottage gardens – Their naturalistic look works alongside other classic perennials.
21 Beautiful Penstemon Varieties for Your Garden
Below you’ll find a detailed guide to 21 outstanding penstemon varieties, from classic species to striking new hybrids. Included are their key attributes, sun and soil requirements, and distinctive features to help you select the perfect plants for your needs.
| Variety | Botanical Name | Sun | Height | Zones | Flower Color |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ‘Husker Red’ | Penstemon digitalis ‘Husker Red’ | Full sun/part shade | 24-36″ | 3-8 | White (burgundy foliage) |
| ‘Blackbeard’ | Penstemon ‘Blackbeard’ | Full sun | 24-36″ | 4-8 | Purple |
| ‘Bredon’ | Penstemon ‘Bredon’ | Full sun/part shade | 24-36″ | 5-9 | Pink with deep throats |
| ‘Dazzler Blend’ | Penstemon barbatus ‘Dazzler Blend’ | Full sun | 12″ | 4-8 | Pink, purple, blue |
| Rocky Mountain Blue | Penstemon strictus | Full sun | 24-36″ | 3-8 | Blue |
| Large-flowered | Penstemon grandiflorus | Full sun | 36-48″ | 3-8 | Lavender-pink |
| Foxglove | Penstemon digitalis | Full sun/part shade | 24-48″ | 3-8 | White |
| Scarlet Beardtongue | Penstemon murrayanus | Full sun | 24-36″ | 5-9 | Scarlet red |
| ‘Dark Towers’ | Penstemon ‘Dark Towers’ | Full sun | 36-42″ | 3-8 | Pink (wine-red foliage) |
| Pineleaf | Penstemon pinifolius | Full sun | 10-18″ | 4-8 | Orange, yellow |
| Mexicali ‘Pike’s Peak Purple’ | Penstemon mexicali ‘Pike’s Peak Purple’ | Full sun | 12-18″ | 4-8 | Purple |
| Palmer’s Pink Wild Snapdragon | Penstemon palmeri | Full sun | 36-60″ | 5-9 | Pale pink |
| Coconino County Desert | Penstemon pseudospectabilis | Full sun | 24-36″ | 6-10 | Deep pink |
| Sour Grapes | Penstemon ‘Sour Grapes’ | Full sun/part shade | 24-30″ | 6-9 | Lavender |
| Shell-Leaf | Penstemon grandiflorus | Full sun/part shade | 24-48″ | 4-8 | Purple-blue |
| White Wand | Penstemon tubaeflorus | Full sun | 30-36″ | 4-8 | Pure white |
| Beardlip | Penstemon barbatus | Full sun | 12-36″ | 4-9 | Red |
| Pineleaf ‘Mersea Yellow’ | Penstemon pinifolius ‘Mersea Yellow’ | Full sun | 12-18″ | 5-8 | Yellow |
| Desert Beardtongue | Penstemon pseudospectabilis | Full sun | 24-36″ | 6-10 | Pink |
| Palmeri | Penstemon palmeri | Full sun | 36-60″ | 5-9 | Pale pink |
| Prairie Beardtongue | Penstemon cobaea | Full sun | 24-36″ | 4-8 | White, pink |
Notable Varieties in Detail
1. ‘Husker Red’ Penstemon (Penstemon digitalis ‘Husker Red’)
An aptly named cultivar famed for its burgundy foliage and spires of white flowers. ‘Husker Red’ is adaptable and thrives in sun or partial shade, offering extended ornamental interest even when not in bloom. Use deadheading to prolong flowering, and plant en masse for visual impact.
2. ‘Blackbeard’ Penstemon
For gardeners seeking both unique color and bold foliage, ‘Blackbeard’ stands out with deep purple leaves topped by purple flowers. It blooms heavily in early summer and continues sporadically if spent blooms are removed.
3. ‘Bredon’ Penstemon
Developed at Pershore College, ‘Bredon’ produces large pink flowers with intricate white and deep pink throats to guide pollinators. Plants bloom from mid-summer into fall and may be propagated by division or cuttings. Note that seeds won’t breed true.
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4. ‘Dazzler Blend’ Penstemon (Penstemon barbatus ‘Dazzler Blend’)
A compact, low-maintenance penstemon blooming in pink, purple, and blue hues through spring and summer. With a mature height of only 12″, ‘Dazzler Blend’ is ideal for containers, small beds, and garden edges.
5. Rocky Mountain Blue Penstemon (Penstemon strictus)
One of the most rugged types, this variety boasts vivid blue blooms and exceptional cold/drought resistance. It thrives in full sun, reaching 2 to 3 feet in height; perfect for naturalized plantings and wildlife gardens.
6. Large-flowered Penstemon (Penstemon grandiflorus)
This Midwest and prairie native is known for its showy, lavender-pink flowers on substantial stalks. It reaches heights up to 4 feet and self-seeds gently for continued presence in suitable beds.
7. Foxglove Penstemon (Penstemon digitalis)
A species that truly resembles foxglove, P. digitalis features tall spires of white tubular flowers and is native to much of the eastern US. Widely adaptable and tolerant of clay, drought, and periodic wetness.
8. Scarlet Beardtongue (Penstemon murrayanus)
Noted for vivid red flowers on equally red-tinged stems, ‘Scarlet Beardtongue’ provides brilliant summer display and is particularly attractive to hummingbirds. Suitable for southern gardens; prefers well-drained soil.
9. ‘Dark Towers’ Penstemon
Deep pink blooms and wine-red leaves make ‘Dark Towers’ a dramatic border plant. Strong flower stems and good weather resistance add to its desirability for beds and cut arrangements.
10. Pineleaf Penstemon (Penstemon pinifolius)
With needle-like foliage and showy orange or yellow tubular flowers, Pineleaf penstemons provide a unique texture for the rock or drought-tolerant garden.
How to Grow and Care for Penstemon
Most penstemons are undemanding but will reward good placement and a few simple care steps:
- Sun: The majority thrive in full sun, but some tolerate partial shade.
- Soil: Sharp drainage is crucial, especially for western species. Sandy or gravelly soils are ideal. Avoid heavy clay.
- Water: Once established, many penstemons are drought-tolerant. Water new plantings regularly until rooted.
- Fertilizer: Usually not required; excess nutrients may reduce blooming.
- Deadheading: Removing spent blooms extends flowering. Some varieties may self-seed if not deadheaded.
- Support: Tall types may require light staking in windy locations.
Design Tips for Using Penstemon
- Mix heights: Place compact types like ‘Dazzler Blend’ at borders or in containers; use taller types such as P. grandiflorus in middle or back rows.
- Combine with grasses: Penstemon’s vertical lines contrast beautifully with ornamental grasses and low-mounding perennials.
- Naturalistic planting: Mass plantings mimic their wild habitats, supporting pollinators and making maintenance easier.
- Color echoes: Repeat penstemon flower or foliage colors elsewhere in your garden design for unity.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the best penstemon for attracting hummingbirds?
Red-flowering varieties such as Scarlet Beardtongue (Penstemon murrayanus) and Beardlip Penstemon (Penstemon barbatus) are especially attractive to hummingbirds due to their bright color and tubular shape.
How do I propagate penstemon?
Most penstemons can be propagated by seed, division, or stem cuttings. Hybrid types are best propagated by division or cuttings to preserve their unique traits.
Do penstemon varieties require deadheading?
Deadheading is not strictly necessary but will encourage new flowers and a longer blooming period. Some types may rebloom more heavily if spent blooms are removed.
Are penstemons deer resistant?
Yes, many penstemon varieties are considered deer resistant due to their bitter foliage, though no plant is completely deer-proof.
Can penstemon grow in clay soil?
Some species, especially Penstemon digitalis, tolerate clay soil. However, improved drainage will benefit all types, and western species need fast-draining conditions.
Conclusion
With their wide range of colors, heights, and bloom shapes, penstemons are truly among the most versatile and rewarding perennials for gardens across North America. By selecting from the varieties above and providing the right conditions, you’ll enjoy months of spectacular color and an abundance of visiting pollinators—all while keeping maintenance remarkably low.
References
- https://www.highcountrygardens.com/content/gardening/the-beardtongue-family-penstemania-for-penstemon
- https://www.finegardening.com/article/pretty-penstemon-varieties-for-pollinators-in-the-southern-plains
- https://www.epicgardening.com/penstemon-varieties/
- https://www.epicgardening.com/penstemon/
- https://theplantnative.com/plant/penstemon/
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