Penstemon confertus (Yellow Penstemon)
Yellow Penstemon, Yellow Beardtongue
Noted for its unusual color, Penstemon confertus (Yellow Penstemon) is a perennial or subshrub with upright stems boasting showy wands of very pale, soft yellow, tiny flowers in mid-summer. Blooming profusely for several weeks, the blossoms attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. The flowers are carried above a foliage mat of bright green, lance-shaped leaves. 1-4 in. long (2-10 cm). Yellow Penstemon is commonly found in the moist prairies and meadows, forest openings, at mid-elevations in the mountains of western North America. Easy to grow, it is evergreen in mild winters and an excellent pollinator plant.
- Grows up to 10-20 in. tall (25-50 cm) and 20 in. wide (50 cm). Will self-seed freely if not deadheaded.
- Performs best in full sun in dry to moist, well-drained soils. It does not grow well in areas with poor drainage. Very cold-hardy, but some protection from winter wet is beneficial.
- Provides a bold impact in cottage gardens, rock gardens, or in prairie plantings. Great for naturalistic planting schemes.
- No serious pest or disease issues.
- Propagate by seed, cuttings, or division.
- Native to Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Montana.
Requirements
| Hardiness |
3 - 8 |
|---|---|
| Plant Type | Perennials, Shrubs |
| Plant Family | Plantaginaceae |
| Genus | Penstemon |
| Exposure | Full Sun |
| Season of Interest |
Summer (Mid) |
| Height |
10" - 2' (30cm - 60cm) |
| Spread |
1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm) |
| Spacing | 20" (50cm) |
| Maintenance | Low |
| Water Needs | Low, Average |
| Soil Type | Clay, Loam, Sand |
| Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
| Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained |
| Characteristics | Showy |
| Native Plants | Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Pacific Northwest, Rocky Mountains, United States, Washington |
| Attracts | Bees, Butterflies, Hummingbirds |
| Garden Uses | Beds And Borders |
| Garden Styles | Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow |
Alternative Plants to Consider
Find In One of Our Guides or Gardens
By Andrey Zharkikh, Matt Lavin, Flickr
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
Requirements
| Hardiness |
3 - 8 |
|---|---|
| Plant Type | Perennials, Shrubs |
| Plant Family | Plantaginaceae |
| Genus | Penstemon |
| Exposure | Full Sun |
| Season of Interest |
Summer (Mid) |
| Height |
10" - 2' (30cm - 60cm) |
| Spread |
1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm) |
| Spacing | 20" (50cm) |
| Maintenance | Low |
| Water Needs | Low, Average |
| Soil Type | Clay, Loam, Sand |
| Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
| Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained |
| Characteristics | Showy |
| Native Plants | Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Pacific Northwest, Rocky Mountains, United States, Washington |
| Attracts | Bees, Butterflies, Hummingbirds |
| Garden Uses | Beds And Borders |
| Garden Styles | Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow |
