Penstemon eatonii (Firecracker Penstemon)
Firecracker Penstemon, Firecracker Beardtongue, Eaton's Penstemon, Eaton's Beardtongue
Penstemon eatonii (Firecracker Penstemon) is a showy perennial with several sprawling to erect stems boasting 5 to 10 brilliant red tubular flowers in late spring through late summer. The flowers attract bees, wasps, hummingbirds and other pollinating insects. They rise above a basal foliage of lance-shaped, leathery green leaves. The fibrous root system and wide canopy cover make it a good plant for water-wise landscaping, rock gardens, desert gardens, and other ornamental plantings. Adding lovely vertical lines in the landscape, Firecracker Penstemon is also used in restoration and wildlife enhancement projects. Firecracker Penstemon was used by Native Americans for the treatment of spider bites, stomach troubles, to reduce bleeding, backache, snakebite, as a veterinary aid, and for healing of burns.
- Grows up to 1-3 ft. tall and wide (30-90 cm).
- Performs best in full sun to part shade in rocky, loams, sandy loams, gravelly loams, well-drained to moderately well-drained soils. It does not grow well in areas with poor drainage. Drought tolerant once established. Penstemons need very little water and barely any fertilizer.
- Provides a bold impact in beds and borders, cottage gardens, rock gardens or in prairie plantings. Great for naturalistic planting schemes.
- No serious pest or disease issues. Deer resistant.
- Propagate by stratified seed or root division.
- Native to the western United States from California to the Rocky Mountains.
Not sure which Penstemon - Beardtongues to pick?
Compare All Penstemon - Beardtongues
Buy Penstemon eatonii (Firecracker Penstemon)
Requirements
Hardiness | 4
– 8 |
---|---|
Climate Zones | 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 18, 19, 20, 21 |
Plant Type | Perennials |
Plant Family | Penstemon - Beardtongues |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Season of Interest |
Spring (Late) Summer (Early,Mid,Late) |
Height | 1' – 3' (30cm – 90cm) |
Spread | 1' – 3' (30cm – 90cm) |
Spacing | 24" – 36" (60cm – 90cm) |
Water Needs | Low |
Maintenance | Low |
Soil Type | Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Showy |
Native Plants | United States, California, Rocky Mountains, Colorado, Utah, Southwest, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico |
Tolerance | Deer, Drought |
Attracts | Bees, Birds, Butterflies, Hummingbirds |
Garden Uses | Beds and Borders |
Garden Styles | Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow |
Brewbooks, Matt Lavin, Larry Lamsa, 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 | 4
– 8 |
---|---|
Climate Zones | 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 18, 19, 20, 21 |
Plant Type | Perennials |
Plant Family | Penstemon - Beardtongues |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Season of Interest |
Spring (Late) Summer (Early,Mid,Late) |
Height | 1' – 3' (30cm – 90cm) |
Spread | 1' – 3' (30cm – 90cm) |
Spacing | 24" – 36" (60cm – 90cm) |
Water Needs | Low |
Maintenance | Low |
Soil Type | Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Showy |
Native Plants | United States, California, Rocky Mountains, Colorado, Utah, Southwest, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico |
Tolerance | Deer, Drought |
Attracts | Bees, Birds, Butterflies, Hummingbirds |
Garden Uses | Beds and Borders |
Garden Styles | Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow |