Botanical Name: Penstemon ambiguus
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Common Name: Bush Penstemon; Sand Penstemon  
Plant photo of: Penstemon ambiguus
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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

Pink, White

 

Flower Season

Spring, Summer, Intermittent

 

Leaf Color

Green, Light Green

 

Bark Color

Brown

 

Fruit Color

n/a

 

Fruit Season

n/a

Sun

Full

 

Water

Very Low

 

Growth Rate

Slow

 

Soil Type

Sandy, Rocky

 

Soil Condition

Average, Poor, Well-drained, Dry

 

Soil pH

Neutral, Basic

 

Adverse Factors

Attracts Bees

Design Styles

Mediterranean, Ranch, Spanish, Native Garden

 

Accenting Features

Fragrance, Showy Flowers

 

Seasonal Interest

Spring, Summer

 

Location Uses

Perennial Border, Shrub Border, Foundation, Raised Planter, With Rocks

 

Special Uses

Filler, Mass Planting, Naturalizing

 

Attracts Wildlife

Hummingbirds

Information by: Stephanie Duer
Photographer: Mountain States Nursery

  • Description

  • Notes

Bush penstemon forms a bushy, woody sub-shrub that forms a rounded mound up to 3 feet tall. Fragrant flowers emerge in clusters near the tops of branches, and are pale pink to white with deeper pink reverse. Blooms most heavily in May, and than sporadically through October. Flowers are reminiscent of phlox. Narrow bright green leaves. A Utah native. Attractive to native bees.
Grow in full sun and well drained soil. Will grow in sandy soils. Will not tolerate over-watering. Extremely drought tolerant.