Botanical Name: Penstemon eatonii
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Common Name: Firecracker Penstemon  
Plant photo of: Penstemon eatonii
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Water Saving Tip:

In general, lawns only need to be watered once every three days.

Check your irrigation controller and reduce watering times if necessary.

  • Anatomy

  • Culture

  • Design

Plant Type

Perennial

 

Height Range

1-3'

 

Flower Color

Red

 

Flower Season

Spring, Summer

 

Leaf Color

Green

 

Bark Color

n/a

 

Fruit Color

n/a

 

Fruit Season

n/a

Sun

Full

 

Water

Very Low

 

Growth Rate

Moderate

 

Soil Type

Sandy, Clay, Loam, Rocky

 

Soil Condition

Average, Rich, Poor, Well-drained, Dry

 

Soil pH

Neutral, Basic

 

Adverse Factors

n/a

Design Styles

English Cottage, Meadow, Mediterranean, Ranch, Spanish, Native Garden

 

Accenting Features

Showy Flowers

 

Seasonal Interest

Spring, Summer

 

Location Uses

Entry, Perennial Border, With Rocks

 

Special Uses

Cut Flowers, Filler, Naturalizing

 

Attracts Wildlife

Hummingbirds

Information by: Stephanie Duer
Photographer: Janet Rademacher MSN

  • Description

  • Notes

When this penstemon is in bloom, it's the first thing you see in the landscape. The foliage of Firecracker penstemon forms a dense mound, about 12 to 18 inches tall, and the flower stems extend another 12 to 18 inches above that. Foliage is dark green to dark gray-green; flowers are bright orange-red, and grow along one side of the stem. Blooms April to July. Attractive to hummingbirds and everyone who see it! A Utah native.
Grows in full to part sun in well-drained soil. Soggy soils will result in root rot. Does well in poor soils, and gravelly to sandy-loam soils, as long as it is well drained. It has a high drought tolerance.