Showy Penstemon
Penstemon spectabilis
Showy Penstemon is a perennial for focal point, mid-border, suited to full sun and loam or sandy soil, flowering Mar, Apr, May, Jun.
| Type | Perennial |
|---|---|
| Mature height | 120 cm |
| Spread | 60 cm |
| Aspect | full sun |
| Foliage | Deciduous |
| Hardiness | USDA 8a-10b, RHS H4 |
| Pollinator-friendly | Yes |
| Pet-safe | Yes |
Where to use it in a border
At around 120 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 8a to 10b and rated H4 by the RHS, so check it suits your area before planting.
It appears in our lists of full sun, sandy soil, pollinator-friendly plants, pet-safe plants.
Border Builder uses Showy 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.
Flowering through the year
Worth knowing
- Its flowers are valued by bees and other pollinators.
Good companions
Plants that share its conditions and style, chosen to complement its place in the border:
- Purple Hopseed Bushfor height behind it
- Purple Sageas a partner at the same level
- St. Catherine's Lacefor height behind it
- Western Blue-eyed Grassto edge in front
- Abelia 'Kaleidoscope'to flower when it does not
- Angelita Daisyto edge in front
Garden styles
Coastal Mediterranean Modern Xeriscape (low-water)
Sources
Bloom timing and hardiness drawn from: