Photo of Penstemon newberryi flower by Cistus Nursery

Photo by Cistus Nursery

Used with permission, all rights reserved

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Penstemon newberryi

Also Known As

  • Penstemon newberryi var. newberryi
  • Beard Tongue
  • Mountain Pride
  • Newberry's Penstemon

Plant type

perennial, groundcover

size

  • H: 5"-10"
  • W: 12"-24"

planting zones

  • 4b-10b

More Options

Penstemon newberryi plant details

Penstemon newberryi is a broadleaf evergreen perennial groundcover with green foliage. In spring and summer pink and red flowers emerge. Attracts bees, butterflies and hummingbirds making it an excellent addition to pollinator gardens. Grows well with sun - mostly shade and occasional - low water. Drought tolerant once established. Prefers to be dry in summer. Does well in average, gritty and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something verticillium wilt resistant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Penstemon newberryi

Plant type: perennial groundcover
Plant family: plantaginaceae
Foliage: evergreen green
Mature size: 12 IN - 24 IN - wide, 5 IN - 10 IN - tall
Flowers: pink and red blooms in spring and summer
Uses: container plant, native plant, rock garden, showy

GROWING CONDITIONS for Penstemon newberryi

USDA Zones: 4b - 10b
Sun exposure: sun - mostly shade
Watering frequency: occasional - low
Resistant to: deer and snail / slug, verticillium wilt
Soil needs: average, gritty and well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

Mountain Pride is a low growing perennial, reaching 1' high by 3' wide that will go dormant in the winter. Mountain Pride is a show stopping Penstemon. The floral displays of this delightful perennial will dazzle any display garden. Normally found in higher elevations, Penstemon newberryi craves good drainage and rocky soil. In mid-spring a bloom of striking rose colored flowers will cover the plant. Somewhat short lived, plants should be restarted every few years. A bit more work, but definitely worth the effort in any garden! Native to California and is also found outside of California, but is confined to western North America. Attracts butterflies and bees. Native Americans long used penstemon roots to relieve toothache. Found in grows in high elevation rocky outcrops and tallus. Communitites located in Yellow Pine Forest, Red Fir Forest, Lodgepole Forest, Subalpine Forest Between 4265 and 11482 feet.
Hikers in the California mountains will remember Penstemon newberryi blooming brilliantly on rock shelves & outcrops, usually right after snowmelt. The broad 5-10” tall mat is almost covered with 1” pink to rose-red flowers, each around 1” long & are very attractive to Hummingbirds. While it is a mountain plant, it can often be grown successfully at lower elevations & our plants here have done well for us. Plant them in very well drained rock garden soil & water carefully & not excessively during the Summer. Prefers good light but give shade if Summer temperatures exceed 90 °F. Not recommended for the CA Valley or for areas with high Summer humidity. Mat forming perennial sub-shrub.
Thick leathery rounded leaves on plants 2 feet across and 1 foot tall. Bright reddish pink flowers in summer. Great companion for the rocky garden.

Gardening facts about Penstemon newberryi plant

How to Grow Penstemon newberryi

  • Sun Exposure

    • sun - mostly shade
  • Water Needs

    • occasional - drought tolerant
  • Water Needs

    • dry in summer
  • Soil Needs

    • average
    • well-drained
    • gritty
  • Special Situation

    • verticillium wilt resistant

Features

  • Foliage Color

    • green
  • Flower Color

    • pink
    • red
  • Wildlife

    • bees
    • butterflies
    • hummingbirds
    • deer resistant
    • snail / slug resistant
  • Flower Season

    • summer
    • spring
  • Foliage Season

    • evergreen
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