Penstemon palmeri

Common Names

Palmer's Penstemon, Palmer Penstemon, Palmer's Beardtongue, Scented Beardtongue, Beardtongue

Summary

Palmer’s penstemon is a western U.S. native perennial herb to slightly woody subshrub with erect stems and glabrous, glaucous, opposite leaves with dentate margins. It grows about 4–5 ft tall and 2 ft wide, bearing tall spikes of large, fragrant flowers that range from white to pink and lavender-pink, with an inflated throat that attracts bees and other pollinators; it occurs in desert mountains, washes, roadsides, and rocky areas of the Southwest at elevations around 800–2,500 m.

Cultivation and use: thrives in full sun and well-drained soils; drought-tolerant once established; requires minimal irrigation and tolerates low-nutrient soils; hardy in USDA zones 4–9; generally short-lived (roughly 3–5 years) but may self-seed and persist in plantings. Propagation is by seed or division, with shallow sowing (1/8–1/4 inch) preferred in early spring or late fall. Common landscape roles include ornamental plantings, erosion control, and support for wildlife and pollinators in xeriscapes and desert gardens.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

1 ft 8 in-4 ft 6 in

Spread

1-3 feet

Hardiness Zones

Zones 4-9

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally full sun; tolerates partial shade.

Soil Type

Well-drained, dry, sandy soil

Soil Drainage

Well-drained

Soil pH

Tolerates all pH levels

Bloom Color

Pink

Bloom Time

Spring and Summer

Foliage Color

Glaucous (bluish-green)

Fall Foliage Color

Green

Leaf Lifecycle

Evergreen broadleaf

Growth Rate

Moderate

Seasons of Interest

Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter.

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Cuttings, Division

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts bees, hummingbirds, butterflies, other pollinators, and birds