1 / 3

Key characteristics

Family: Plantaginaceae
Height: 8 to 12 inches
Width: 12 to 18 inches
Flower color: Bright orange red tubular flowers held above the foliage
Foliage color: Fine needlelike bright green foliage forming a dense evergreen mound
Bloom time: Late spring to mid summer
Light: Full sun
Water: Low to moderate moisture
Maintenance: Low; avoid overly rich soil and trim lightly after flowering to maintain compact growth
Growing zone: USDA zones 4 to 9
Wildlife: Attracts hummingbirds and bees

Perennials

Penstemon pinifolius

Pineleaf Penstemon

Penstemon pinifolius forms dense mats of slender, needle like green leaves that give the plant a finely textured appearance throughout the growing season. The evergreen foliage resembles small pine needles arranged along wiry stems. From late spring into early summer, clusters of small tubular flowers appear in vivid orange red, held just above the foliage and continuing in waves that attract hummingbirds.

Native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico, the species grows in rocky slopes and open mountain landscapes.

Light

Full sun

Water

Low to moderate moisture

Bloom time

Late spring to mid summer

Find this plant

Works well in

Borders
Sun Gardens
Pollinator Gardens
Hummingbird Gardens
Waterwise Gardens

Companion plants

Russian sage · Sedums · Peonies · Coneflowers · Salvias · Shasta daisies

Design tip

Summer flowers carry the middle of the season, so place it where the bed needs color once spring bulbs fade. In full sun it holds its shape best, and grouping several together keeps the color strong enough to be seen from across the garden.

Printable plant sheet (PDF)