Bearded penstemon is a clump-forming perennial native to the rocky slopes and open woodlands stretching from Utah and Colorado south to Arizona, Texas, and Mexico. Its reddish-orange, two-lipped tubular flowers (reaching 2 inches long) bloom in loose terminal racemes from late spring through summer, creating vibrant vertical accents in the garden. Hardy in zones 3 to 8, it typically grows 9 to 18 inches tall and spreads 9 to 12 inches wide, thriving in full sun with moderate water and drought tolerance. The lower lip of each flower bears a distinctive covering of dense yellow or white hairs, giving the plant its common name and lending it unmistakable character.
Full Sun
Moderate
3-8
18in H x 12in W
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High
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Reddish-orange flowers topped with distinctive bearded yellow or white hairs bloom reliably from late spring into summer, creating a beacon for hummingbirds while shrugging off drought and poor soils. The plant's clumping habit and moderate size make it a natural fit for rocky gardens, xeriscape plantings, and containers where it handles both neglect and shallow, rocky soil with ease. It asks only for full sun, well-drained soil, and the occasional deadheading to keep the blooms coming.
Bearded penstemon is grown as an ornamental perennial for its striking reddish-orange flowers and drought tolerance. It attracts hummingbirds to gardens and is particularly valuable in water-wise landscapes, xeriscape plantings, and naturalistic gardens where it pairs well with other drought-adapted perennials. Its deer resistance and ability to thrive in poor, rocky soils make it a dependable choice for challenging spots where other plants struggle.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Cut plants back to basal foliage after flowering has finished to improve the appearance of the planting. Remove spent flowering racemes throughout the bloom season to prolong flowering and maintain a tidy form.
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“Bearded penstemon is native to rocky slopes and open woodlands from Utah and Colorado south through Arizona, Texas, and into Mexico, where it has thrived in arid and semi-arid conditions for centuries. Its presence across such a wide geographic range speaks to its ability to adapt to varied terrain and climate, from high elevation to desert margins. The plant has been valued by gardeners since its introduction to cultivation, and it continues to be preserved and grown because of its remarkable resilience and showy flowers.”