Penstemon palmeri, Palmer’s beardtongue

Palmer’s beardtongue

A fast growing perennial that grows up to seven feet tall and two feet wide.  Purple and pink tubular flower clusters bloom in the summer through fall.  

Plant with:  Joshua Tree (Yucca brevifolia), Pinyon Pine (Pinus edulis or monophylla), Utah Agave (Agave utahensis), Bigberry Manzanity (Arctostaphylos glauca), Big Sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata), Desert Ceanothus (Ceanothus greggii), Desert Willow (Chilpsis linearis), Mormon Tea (Ephedra sp.), Buckwheat (Eriogonum sp.), Apache Plume (Fallugia paradoxa), Chaparral Yucca (Hesperoyucca whipplei), California Juniper (Juniperus californica), Bladderpod (Isomeris arborea), Antelope Brush (Purshia tridentata), Sage (Salvia dorrii or mohavensis), Jojoba (Simmondsia chinensis), Banana Yucca (Yucca baccata), and various cactus species.

Family Name	Plantaginaceae
Species Name	Penstemon palmeri
Common Name	Palmer’s beardtongue
Native to	California and the Southwest
Plant Type	Perennial herb
Height x Width	4-6’ x 2’
Growth Habit	Upright, clumping
Growth Rate	Moderate
Sun Exposure	Full sun to partial shade
Water Requirement	Low
Soil Type	Well draining, sandy
Flower Color	Pink to purple-blue, sometimes reddish or yellow tinged as well
Flowering Months	Spring
Evergreen/Deciduous	Evergreen, summer semi-deciduous
Fragrant	Yes
Cold Hardy to	-5° F
Attracts pollinators	Bees, butterflies, hummingbirds
Container Plant	Yes
Erosion Control	No
Bank Stabilization	No
Fire Resistant	No
Deer resistant	Yes
Local plant	No