Botanical Name: Penstemon 'Firebird'
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Common Name: Firebird Penstemon  
Plant photo of: Penstemon 'Firebird'
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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, Annual

 

Height Range

1-3'

 

Flower Color

Red

 

Flower Season

Summer, Fall

 

Leaf Color

Dark Green

 

Bark Color

n/a

 

Fruit Color

n/a

 

Fruit Season

n/a

Sun

Full

 

Water

Low, Medium

 

Growth Rate

Moderate

 

Soil Type

Sandy, Clay, Loam, Rocky, Unparticular

 

Soil Condition

Average, Rich, Poor, Well-drained, Dry

 

Soil pH

Neutral

 

Adverse Factors

n/a

Design Styles

English Cottage, Meadow, Mediterranean, Ranch

 

Accenting Features

Showy Flowers

 

Seasonal Interest

Summer, Fall

 

Location Uses

Perennial Border, Patio, Raised Planter

 

Special Uses

Container, Cut Flowers

 

Attracts Wildlife

Hummingbirds, Butterflies

Information by: Stephanie Duer
Photographer: Susan Frommer

  • Description

  • Notes

Firebird penstemon has spectacular red flowers arranged along tall flower spires. The hybrid penstemons are less cold hardy than other penstemons, but are useful as annuals due to their long seaason of bloom. Add them to perennial borders to fill in dull spots, or use them in containers. Grows 2 to 3 feet tall and 12 to 15 inches wide. Attracts butterflies and hummingbirds; deer and rabbit resistant.
Hybrid penstemon can be less cold-hardy than other penstemons. They make great annuals for containers and filler in perennial borders as they have a long bloom season. Grow in full sun and well-drained soil. Like other penstemon, they prefer a gravel mulch, but if you use bark, pull it back from the crown of the plant so as to not cause crown rot.