Penstemons are perennials that are common garden plants for summer color. There are more than 250 species mostly native to the Western U. S. The garden hybrids come in colors from white, pink, magenta, red to purple and blue.

Penstemon ‘Sour Grapes’ is one of the most vigorous and fastest growing Penstemons.

Penstemon ‘Firebird’

Penstemon ‘Garnet’

Penstemon ‘Firebird’ in the foreground; Penstemon ‘Garnet’ in the background.

Penstemon ‘Apple Blossom’

Penstemon ‘Red Riding Hood’

Penstemon pinifolius ‘Mersea Yellow’

Penstemon pinifolius

Penstemon heterophyllus ‘Margarita BOP’ BOP stands for “Back of Porch” which is where the hybridzer apparently found it.

Watch out for tent caterpillars on Penstemons in late spring. They can completely defoliate plants:

Deadheading Penstemons is important to prolong the bloom. Penstemons start blooming as the weather warms up in July. They can continue to bloom through September and October if the finished blooms are cut off. Cut the whole stem off down to the base. The smaller sprouts at the base will lengthen and produce more flowers.