Foothill penstemon is a true blue California native that blooms profusely yet needs little water. It also attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds – but deer stay away. This beautiful perennial has close relatives available in many colors: white, yellow, pink, purple, and red.
Penstemon is the largest genus of flowering plants indigenous to North America, with 280 species and more than 100 native to California. Commonly known as “beardtongue,” these tubular, nectar-rich flowers are pollinator magnets, attracting native bees, honeybees, bumble bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Click here to see many varieties of penstemon.
How to grow penstemon
Penstemon are fast-growing summer bloomers, easily grown in a variety of soil types so long as it’s well draining. To keep penstemon happy, plant them in full sun to partial shade with good air circulation. They prefer little fertilizer. Once established in the right place, they require minimum care and will often re-seed. At maturity, most plants are just over one to two feet tall and wide although some cultivars are larger. Many non-native varieties also grow well in our Mediterranean climate and are readily available.
CA native penstemon are naturally adapted to our growing conditions
While many California natives go summer dormant to adapt to our dry summer months, various varieties of penstemon flower from April through September and require only occasional watering once established.
Foothill penstemon (Penstemon heterophyllus) is a stunning CA native perennial herb with profuse clusters of blue to magenta tubular flowers. It is found in all major coastal mountain ranges in California plus the northern Sierra foothills. Bloom time is generally May through June. Remove dead flower stalks to encourage more flowering. Carpenter bees find foothill penstemon irresistible.
Penstemon heterophyllus ‘Margarita BOP’ is another excellent variety, a low-growing, evergreen perennial prized for its long-lasting, vibrant blue-to-rose-purple flowers. Thought to be a hybrid of Penstemon heterophyllus and Penstemon laetus, its name comes from where it thrived with little care - “Bottom of the Porch.” This adaptable plant flourishes in various garden settings, from borders to rock gardens and slopes. It is drought-adapted once established and benefits from cutting back spent flower spikes to encourage reblooming. A magnet for hummingbirds and butterflies, Margarita BOP penstemon is an excellent choice for pollinator-friendly landscapes
Scarlet bugler (Penstemon centranthifolius) is known for its bright red to orange-red tubular flowers that are irresistible to hummingbirds. It grows easily in northern, southern, and central California and thrives in rocky, well-drained soils, making it a perfect addition to rock gardens, slopes, and pathways. The upright, slender stems can reach over three feet in height, with thick, smooth leaves arranged in pairs along the stem.