Penstemon cardwellii
Native to open, rocky slopes of the western Cascades and Columbia River Gorge in Oregon and Washington, this shrubby, ground-spreading Penstemon bears blue-violet to purple tubular flowers, stems that root at nodes, blooms May–Aug, thrives in well-drained rocky soils with full sun to light shade, and attracts pollinators.
Common Names
Cardwell's Penstemon, Cardwell's Beardtongue
Summary
Cardwell's beardtongue is a Pacific Northwest native perennial forming cushions with spreading, rooting stems, growing about 4–12 inches tall and 12–15 inches wide, with opposite elliptic to oblong leaves; flowers are blue-violet to purple, arranged in a raceme at stem tips from late spring to early summer, producing a distinctive bloom that attracts pollinators.
Prefers full sun to light shade and well-drained rocky soils; drought-tolerant once established; water regularly after installation but avoid overwatering; propagates by woody stem cuttings or seeds; suitable for rock gardens and borders in appropriate climates and valued for pollinator attraction.
Lifecycle
Perennial
Height
4-12 inches
Spread
12-15 inches
Hardiness Zones
Zones 5a-9b
Sunlight Requirements
Ideally full sun to partial shade.
Soil Type
Rocky, well-drained soil
Soil Drainage
Well-drained soils.
Soil pH
6.6-7.0
Bloom Color
Blue-violet to purple
Bloom Time
Spring and Summer
Foliage Color
Green
Fall Foliage Color
Green
Leaf Lifecycle
Evergreen broadleaf
Growth Rate
Moderate, about 12–24 inches per year.
Seasons of Interest
Spring and Summer
Propagation Methods
Seeds, Cuttings, Layering
Attracts Wildlife
Attracts bees and hummingbirds
Taxonomy
- Taxonomic Rank
- Species
- Author
- Howell
- Publication
- Fl. N.W. Amer. : 510 (1901)
Superior Taxa
- Kingdom
- Plantae
- Subkingdom
- Pteridobiotina
- Phylum
- Angiosperms
- Order
- Lamiales
- Family
- Plantaginaceae
- Genus
- Penstemon