Keckiella cordifolia

Common Names

Climbing Penstemon, Heartleaf Keckiella, Heartleaf Penstemon, Heart Leaved Penstemon

Summary

Heartleaf keckiella is native to the coast and coastal mountains of southern California and northern Baja California, where it occurs in chaparral and coastal woodland communities. It is a spreading shrub/subshrub with vine-like, arching stems up to about 3 meters long and overall dimensions of roughly 3–6 feet tall and 3–6 feet wide. Leaves are bright green and oval to heart-shaped, and tubular flowers range from red to red-orange, about 1–2 inches long, borne on branch tips and offering nectar that attracts hummingbirds.

Cultivation favors full sun to part shade and well-drained soils, with drought tolerance once established and low to moderate irrigation. It is deer resistant and evergreen in mild climates with some watering, becoming deciduous in winter cold or under drought stress. Propagation is by seeds, cuttings, or layering. In landscape settings, it suits wild garden or woodland plantings, can be trained on trellises, and provides nectar for hummingbirds while supporting wildlife; it is drought-tolerant and suitable for xeriscapes and naturalizing, and it can aid erosion control.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

3-6 ft

Spread

3-6 feet

Hardiness Zones

Zones 9-9

Sunlight Requirements

Full sun to partial shade.

Soil Type

Well-drained soil

Soil Drainage

Well-drained soil.

Soil pH

6.0-8.0

Bloom Color

Red to orange

Bloom Time

Spring and Summer

Foliage Color

Green

Fall Foliage Color

Green

Leaf Lifecycle

Semi-deciduous

Growth Rate

Fast

Seasons of Interest

Spring and Summer

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Cuttings, Layering

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts hummingbirds, butterflies, other pollinators, birds