Shrubby Penstemon in the Landscape
Diane Jones, Draggin' Wing Farm, Water-thrifty Plants for Idaho
Scientfic Name: Penstemon fruticosusCommon Name: Shrubby Penstemon, Bush Penstemon
Description: This woody, upright, evergreen penstemon produces abundant lavender tubular flowers in early summer. Longer-lived than some other Penstemons.
Native Habitat: Grows in rocky outcroppings in coniferous forests, and on steep, rocky scree slopes at mid or higher elevations in the Northern Intermountain West.
Cultural Requirement
Soil: Rocky, sandy or ordinary garden soil.
Moisture Tolerance: Low to moderate water needs.
Sun/Shade/Preference: Full sun to part shade.
Transplanting: Easy from containers.
Propagation: Seed or cuttings.
Maintenance (pruning, fertilization, deadheading, division, irrigation, etc): Little or no maintenance necessary.
Insect, disease, or other problems: None of concern.
Landscape Value
Use in the Landscape: Attractive compact foundation plant for middle of the bed or for a low hedge.
Foliage: Dark green oblong leaves, sometimes serrated.
Flower: Medium to large lavender tubes, attractive to butterflies, hummingbird moths and hummingbirds.
Timing: May-June.
Color: Blue to Lavender.
Form: Woody sub-shrub.
Texture: Leathery leaves on a branching mound.
Ultimate Size: 18-24 tall and equally wide.
Rate of Growth: Moderate growth with supplemental water.
Suggested Plant Partners: Winecups, Pussytoes, Sulfur Buckwheat.
Availability: Available at specialty nurseries.
Cultivars: Three varieties, fruticosus, scouleri and serrulatus are fairly similar. There is also one very attractive dwarf form.
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