Penstemon deustus

Common Names

Scabland Penstemon, Hot Rock Penstemon, Scorched Penstemon, Scabland Beardtongue, Beardtongue, Lava Penstemon, Parched Penstemon

Summary

Scabland penstemon is a drought-tolerant perennial subshrub native to the northwestern United States from the Pacific Northwest to Wyoming. It forms a densely clumped habit with erect stems up to about 61 cm tall from a woody base and thick, opposite or whorled leaves; the inflorescences are thryses bearing tubular, two-lipped flowers that are creamy white to yellowish, sometimes lavender, about 1.5 cm long and attractive to bees; seeds are 0.7–1.2 mm in 2.5–5.5 mm capsules.

Preferring dry, rocky, well-drained soils—often basalt-derived—with a pH of 5–8 and elevations of 1,300–8,530 ft, this plant is very drought-tolerant and suitable for waterwise native gardens and xeric landscapes. It propagates from seed or semi-woody cuttings, with cold-moist stratification aiding germination; self-seeds well in sunny, gravelly sites, and seed production in cultivation can reach about 250 lb/acre; it is short-lived in cultivation but persists via seed and is used in revegetation, rangeland restoration, and roadside plantings.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

1-2 feet

Spread

1-2 feet

Hardiness Zones

Zones 6-8

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally full sun.

Soil Type

Well-drained, dry, rocky soils (basalt/volcanic origin), loam to fine sandy loam, pH 5–8

Soil Drainage

Well-drained soil

Soil pH

5-8

Bloom Color

Yellow and white-to-off-white (sometimes lavender-tinged)

Bloom Time

Spring to Summer

Foliage Color

Green

Fall Foliage Color

Green

Leaf Lifecycle

Deciduous

Growth Rate

Slow to moderate growth

Seasons of Interest

Spring and Summer

Propagation Methods

Seeds and cuttings

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts bees, butterflies, other pollinators, birds