Penstemon grinnellii

Common Names

Grinnell's Beardtongue, Grinnell's Penstemon

Summary

Grinnell's beardtongue is a California-endemic perennial herb with upright stems up to 85 cm tall and oblong leaves to 9 cm long folded lengthwise and curved backward, featuring glandular inflorescences of tubular flowers 1–2 cm long that are purple-tinged white or violet, with mouths bearing three lower lobes streaked with dark lines, a hairy throat, and a long-haired protruding staminode; flowers are purple, lavender, or white and bloom in spring to summer, with native habitats including Foothill Woodland, Pinyon-Juniper Woodland, Red Fir Forest, and Yellow Pine Forest.

In cultivation, it prefers sun to partial shade and well-drained soil with moderate care, tolerating a range of soils with adequate drainage, and is suitable for containers and landscape plantings, while attracting bees and butterflies.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

3 feet

Spread

2 feet

Sunlight Requirements

Full Sun, Partial Shade.

Soil Type

Dry, well-drained, gravelly soils

Soil Drainage

Well-drained, dry soils

Bloom Color

Purple, Lavender, White, Blue, Violet

Bloom Time

Spring to Summer

Foliage Color

Blue-green

Seasons of Interest

Spring and Summer

Propagation Methods

Seeds and half-woody cuttings

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts bees, Attracts hummingbirds, Attracts butterflies, Attracts birds