Beardlip penstemon
Penstemon barbatus
Beardlip penstemon (Penstemon barbatus) is a Colorado-native shrub suited to the Colorado Front Range. It matures to about 2–4 ft tall and 1–2 ft wide, needs low water, and prefers full sun. Native penstemon with vivid red tubular flowers — hummingbird magnet. Excellent drainage required.
Colorado nativelow water2–4 ft tall and 1–2 ft wideXeric / water-wiseDeer-resistant
Photos
At a glance
- Botanical name
- Penstemon barbatus
- Variety / cultivar
- 'Coccineus', 'Schooley's Yellow'
- Type
- Shrub
- Mature size
- 2–4 ft tall and 1–2 ft wide
- Water needs
- low water
- Sun
- full sun
- Colorado native
- Yes
- Foliage
- Semi-evergreen
- Soil
- sandy, well drained only
- Soil pH
- 6.5–8.5
- Hail tolerance
- moderate
- Wind tolerance
- high
- Salt tolerance
- moderate
- Bloom color
- red, pink
- Bloom time
- early summer, mid summer
- Pollinator value
- high
- Good for
- slope, hellstrip
Planting & establishment
Water sparingly even during the first summer — these xeric species are prone to crown rot from overwatering, especially in clay. Once established, no supplemental water needed.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Beardlip penstemon good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes. Beardlip penstemon is included in the Front Range Plant Finder as a shrub suited to Colorado's Front Range.
- How big does Beardlip penstemon get?
- It matures to about 2–4 ft tall and 1–2 ft wide.
- How much water does Beardlip penstemon need?
- It needs low water once established.
- Is Beardlip penstemon native to Colorado?
- Yes — it is a Colorado native.
