Botanical Name: Penstemon barbatus
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Common Name: Scarlet Bugler  
Plant photo of: Penstemon barbatus
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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

Red

 

Flower Season

Spring, Summer

 

Leaf Color

Green, Dark Green

 

Bark Color

n/a

 

Fruit Color

n/a

 

Fruit Season

n/a

Sun

Full

 

Water

Medium

 

Growth Rate

Moderate

 

Soil Type

Sandy, Clay, Loam

 

Soil Condition

Average, Poor, Well-drained

 

Soil pH

Neutral, Basic

 

Adverse Factors

Attracts Bees

Design Styles

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

 

Accenting Features

Showy Flowers

 

Seasonal Interest

Spring, Summer

 

Location Uses

Entry, Perennial Border, Raised Planter, With Rocks

 

Special Uses

Cut Flowers, Filler

 

Attracts Wildlife

Hummingbirds

Information by: Stephanie Duer
Photographer: Mountain States Nursery

  • Description

  • Notes

This species of penstemon (sometime commonly called southwestern penstemon) is a clump-forming perennial which typically grows 18 to 30 inches tall and about half as wide. It has loose terminal racemes of reddish-orange, two-lipped, tubular flowers (to 2" long) atop erect, rigid stems. Flowers bloom in late spring to summer. Leaves are clasping (they encircle the stem), narrow, lance-shaped, and medium green; the basal foliage is more oval. Great early summer color for the perennial border.
Grow in full sun and well-drained soil. Wet soils can lead to root rot. Cutting back flower spires after blooming may result in a lesser re-blooming in the late summer. Cut back in late winter to early spring, taking care to not damage crown.