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Key characteristics

Family: Plantaginaceae
Height: 2 ft to 4 ft
Width: 1 ft to 2 ft
Flower color: Brilliant scarlet red tubular flowers borne in tall upright spikes
Foliage color: Blue green lance shaped leaves forming a basal rosette and upright stems
Bloom time: Late spring to early summer
Light: Full sun
Water: Low once established
Maintenance: Low; remove spent flower stalks and avoid excessive winter moisture
Growing zone: USDA zones 4 to 8
Wildlife: Hummingbirds, bees, butterflies and pollinators attracted to nectar rich flowers

Perennials

Penstemon eatonii

Firecracker Penstemon

Penstemon eatonii produces tall spikes of brilliant scarlet-red tubular flowers in late spring to early summer, creating a colorful display that is especially attractive to hummingbirds. Narrow, lance-shaped leaves are blue-green and form a dense basal clump. The flowers are arranged in whorls along upright spikes, opening sequentially over an extended period and adding vertical texture and movement to the garden.

Native to the southwestern United States, particularly the Rocky Mountain and Great Basin regions, this species is adapted to open slopes and desert foothills.

Light

Full sun

Water

Low once established

Bloom time

Late spring to early summer

Find this plant

Works well in

Borders
Sun Gardens
Pollinator Gardens
Hummingbird Gardens
Waterwise Gardens

Companion plants

Shasta daisies · Asters · Catmint · Coreopsis · Bearded irises · Bee balm

Design tip

Summer flowers carry the middle of the season, so place it where the bed needs color once spring bulbs fade. Give it open sun and room to fill out, and repeat it in threes or fives so the planting reads as one sweep instead of scattered dots.

Printable plant sheet (PDF)