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    • Photo of Penstemon canescens flower by Katja Schulz

    Photo by Katja Schulz

    This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic license.

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    Penstemon canescens

    Also Known As

    • Beardtongue

    Plant type

    perennial

    size

    • H: 1'-3'
    • W: 1'-2'

    planting zones

    • 5a-9b

    More Options

    Penstemon canescens plant details

    Penstemon canescens is a broadleaf deciduous perennial with green foliage. In spring and summer lavender flowers emerge. Attracts bees, butterflies and hummingbirds making it an excellent addition to pollinator gardens. Grows well with sun - bright shade and regular - low water. Drought tolerant once established. Does well in average, gritty, rocky and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something heat tolerant, humidity tolerant and verticillium wilt resistant.

    CHARACTERISTICS OF Penstemon canescens

    Plant type: perennial
    Plant family: plantaginaceae
    Foliage: deciduous green
    Mature size: 1 FT - 2 FT - wide, 1 FT - 3 FT - tall
    Flowers: lavender blooms in spring and summer

    GROWING CONDITIONS for Penstemon canescens

    USDA Zones: 5a - 9b
    Sun exposure: sun - bright shade
    Watering frequency: regular - low
    Resistant to: heat, humidity and verticillium wilt
    Soil needs: average, gritty, rocky and well-drained

    Nursery contributed plant descriptions

    Clumping perennial species penstemon, height is 1-3’ and width about 18”. We have found this little beauty to be very long lived even here in the winter wet Pacific Northwest; flowers are small but profuse in shades of lilac May > July. Full sun, well drained soil, dry to moderate moisture. Attracts bees, butterflies and birds.

    By: Secret Garden Growers

    Gardening facts about Penstemon canescens plant

    How to Grow Penstemon canescens

    • Sun Exposure

      • sun - bright shade

    • Water Needs

      • regular - drought tolerant

    • Soil Needs

      • average
      • well-drained
      • rocky
      • gritty

    • Special Situation

      • heat tolerant
      • humidity tolerant
      • verticillium wilt resistant

    Features

    • Foliage Color

      • green

    • Flower Color

      • lavender

    • Wildlife

      • bees
      • butterflies
      • hummingbirds

    • Flower Season

      • spring
      • summer

    • Foliage Season

      • deciduous

    Landscape groups by tags

    See other plant types of Penstemon for your garden

    Penstemon ambiguus var. laevissimus

    aka Penstemon ambiguus subsp. laevissimus, Pink Plains Beardtongue

    Plant Type

    Perennial

    Zones

    7a-9b

    Size

    Height: 9"-12"

    Width: 12"-18"

    • sun
    • occasional
    Photo of Penstemon ambiguus var. laevissimus close-up, flower by Stan Shebs
    View Plant

    Penstemon bicolor

    aka Pinto Beardtongue

    Plant Type

    Perennial

    Zones

    8a-10b

    Size

    Height: 2'-4'

    Width: 2'-3'

    • sun
    • occasional - drought tolerant
    Photo of Penstemon bicolor close-up, flower by Stan Shebs
    View Plant

    Penstemon bicolor subsp. roseus

    aka Pinto Beardtongue

    Plant Type

    Perennial

    Zones

    8a-10b

    Size

    Height: 2'-4'

    Width: 2'-3'

    • sun - mostly sun
    • regular - drought tolerant
    Photo of Penstemon bicolor subsp. roseus close-up, flower by Stan Shebs
    View Plant

    Penstemon eatonii

    aka Firecracker Penstemon

    Plant Type

    Perennial

    Zones

    6a-10b

    Size

    Height: 2'

    Width: 8"-14"

    • sun
    • low - drought tolerant
    Photo of Penstemon eatonii flower, form by Stan Shebs
    View Plant

    More Options

    Penstemon gracilis

    aka Lilac Beardstongue, Lilac Penstemon

    Plant Type

    Perennial

    Zones

    3a-9b

    Size

    Height: 8"-24"

    Width: 8"-24"

    • sun
    • regular
    Photo of Penstemon gracilis close-up, flower by Stan Shebs
    View Plant
    +227 more Penstemon
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