Botanical Name: Penstemon whippleanus
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Common Name: Whipple Penstemon  
Plant photo of: Penstemon whippleanus
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Water Saving Tip:

Replace turf with groundcovers, trees, and shrubs. If you have areas where no one uses the grass, patches that do not grow well, or a turf area too small to water without runoff, consider replacing the turf with water-efficient landscaping.

  • Anatomy

  • Culture

  • Design

Plant Type

Perennial

 

Height Range

1-3'

 

Flower Color

Purple, Violet

 

Flower Season

Summer

 

Leaf Color

Green

 

Bark Color

n/a

 

Fruit Color

n/a

 

Fruit Season

n/a

Sun

Full, Half

 

Water

Low, Medium

 

Growth Rate

Moderate

 

Soil Type

Sandy, Clay, Loam, Rocky, Unparticular

 

Soil Condition

Average, Rich, Poor, Well-drained, Dry

 

Soil pH

Neutral, Basic

 

Adverse Factors

Attracts Bees

Design Styles

English Cottage, Meadow, Mediterranean, Ranch, Spanish, Woodland

 

Accenting Features

Showy Flowers

 

Seasonal Interest

Summer

 

Location Uses

Perennial Border, Parking Strip

 

Special Uses

Cut Flowers, Naturalizing

 

Attracts Wildlife

Hummingbirds

Information by: Stephanie Duer
Photographer:

  • Description

  • Notes

Whipple penstemon has distinctive magenta flowers with conspicuous white beards. It blooms a bit later than other penstemon, usually in July and August. Its foliage is green and just slightly hairy; grows 12 to 24 inches tall and half as wide. A Utah native.
Whipple penstemon tolerates richer soils and a bit more shade than other penstemons, though it still needs well-draining soils. It has a medium drought tolerance.