Water
Water regularly once established, allowing the soil to dry out slightly between waterings. Avoid overwatering, especially in well-draining soil, to prevent root rot. Reduce watering during winter dormancy.
Also known as Beard-Tongue · Golden-Beard Penstemon · Scarlet Bugler
Beardlip Penstemon (Penstemon barbatus) is a hardy perennial native to the western US, featuring showy spikes of tubular, often scarlet, flowers that attract hummingbirds
At-a-glance light, water, soil, and growing conditions from plant data
Full Sun
100% intensity
Prefers at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily.
Moderate
50% intensity
Allow soil to dry between waterings; drought-tolerant once established.
Well-drained, sandy loam
50% intensity
Hardy
50% intensity
Tolerates a wide range of temperatures once established; hardy in USDA zones 3-8.
Low
25% intensity
Benefits from minimal feeding; avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers.
Safety information from plant toxicity data
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Toxic for humans | No 0/5 intensity |
| Toxic for pets | No 0/5 intensity |
| Edible | No |
None
Key traits and growing stats from plant data
Watering, pruning, propagation, and repotting details from plant data
Water regularly once established, allowing the soil to dry out slightly between waterings. Avoid overwatering, especially in well-draining soil, to prevent root rot. Reduce watering during winter dormancy.
Deadhead spent flowers to encourage more blooms and maintain a tidy appearance. Cut back the plant by about one-third in late autumn or early spring to promote vigorous new growth and prevent legginess.
Propagate from seed sown in autumn or early spring, or by taking softwood cuttings in late spring to early summer. Seeds may require stratification. Cuttings root best in well-draining soil with bottom heat.
This plant generally prefers to be slightly root-bound and does not require frequent repotting. If grown in a container, repot every 2-3 years in spring, moving to a slightly larger pot with fresh, well-draining soil.
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Monthly activity intensity for bloom and fruit across both hemispheres.
Flowering & fruiting calendar
Flowering & fruiting calendar
Photos of Beardlip Penstemon (Penstemon barbatus)
Where Beardlip Penstemon (Penstemon barbatus) is found
Density
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Common names and botanical synonyms
Botanical classification
| Rank | Name |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Division | Tracheophyta |
| Class | Magnoliopsida |
| Order | Lamiales |
| Family | Plantaginaceae |
| Genus | Penstemon |
| Species | Penstemon barbatus |
Similar in genus Penstemon
Answers based on plant encyclopedia data
