Border Builder

Big Bend Penstemon

Penstemon havardii

Illustration of Big Bend Penstemon

Big Bend Penstemon is a perennial for focal point, mid-border, suited to full sun to partial shade and clay or loam, flowering Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep.

TypePerennial
Mature height180 cm
Spread60 cm
Aspectfull sun to partial shade
FoliageDeciduous
HardinessUSDA 7a-9b, RHS H5
Pollinator-friendlyYes
Pet-safeYes

Where to use it in a border

At around 180 cm, it sits best toward the back of a border, or on its own as a focal point with room around it. Give it about 60 cm of room to spread. It is hardy across USDA zones 7a to 9b and rated H5 by the RHS, so check it suits your area before planting.

It appears in our lists of full sun, clay soil, pollinator-friendly plants, pet-safe plants.

Border Builder uses Big Bend Penstemon's height, spread, soil, bloom months and companions to place it in a full border plan for your own conditions, on iPhone and iPad.

Download on the App Store

Flowering through the year

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Worth knowing

Good companions

Plants that share its conditions and style, chosen to complement its place in the border:

Garden styles

Wildlife garden

Sources

Bloom timing and hardiness drawn from: