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Penstemon venustus (Venus Penstemon)

Venus Penstemon, Venus Beardtongue, Lovely Penstemon, Beautiful Penstemon, Shrubby Venus Penstemon, Alpine Penstemon, Elegant Beardtongue

Penstemon venustus, Venus Penstemon, Venus Beardtongue, Purple Penstemon, Purple Beardtongue

Penstemon venustus (Venus Penstemon) is a long-lived, herbaceous perennial to woody subshrub with several ascending to erect stems boasting showy wands of large, lavender to purple flowers, 1.5 in. long (4 cm) in early to mid-summer. The blossoms attract bees, butterflies, and numerous pollinators. Arising from a strong taproot, the stems are clad with stiff, lanceolate, usually sharply serrated leaves, 3-5 in. long (7-12 cm). Venus Penstemon is a good plant for water-wise landscaping, soil stabilization, rock gardens, desert gardens, and other ornamental plantings. Venus Penstemon is also chiefly used in wildlife habitat enhancement projects and restoration efforts.

  • Grows up to 1-3 ft. tall (30-90 cm) and 18 in. wide (45 cm).
  • Performs best in full sun in shallow rocky and sandy loam, 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.
  • As plants become dormant in the fall, remove dead leaves and stems.
  • Propagate by seed.
  • Native to Washington, Oregon, California, Idaho, and Utah.

Penstemon: How to Grow and Care with Success


Properly growing Penstemon ensures robust, vibrant blooms and foliage, enhances garden biodiversity by attracting pollinators, prevents disease, and maintains plant health. Thriving plants provide longer-lasting beauty and environmental benefits, contributing positively to local ecosystems and the aesthetic value of your landscape.

Requirements

Hardiness 4 - 8
Plant Type Perennials, Shrubs
Plant Family Plantaginaceae
Genus Penstemon
Common names Penstemon, Beardtongue
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Early, Mid)
Height 1' - 3'
(30cm - 90cm)
Spread 1' - 2'
(30cm - 60cm)
Spacing 18" - 24"
(50cm - 60cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Low
Soil Type Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy
Native Plants California, United States, Washington, Oregon, Pacific Northwest, Idaho, Rocky Mountains, Utah
Tolerance Drought
Attracts Bees, Birds, Hummingbirds
Garden Uses Beds And Borders
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage, Gravel and Rock Garden, Prairie and Meadow
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Penstemon (Beardtongue)
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Alternative Plants to Consider

Penstemon pallidus (Pale Beardtongue)
Penstemon pseudospectabilis (Desert Beardtongue)
Penstemon parryi (Parry’s Beardtongue)
Penstemon heterophyllus ‘Electric Blue’ (Foothill Beardtongue)
Penstemon ‘Evelyn’ (Beardtongue)
Penstemon ovatus (Eggleaf Beardtongue)

Find In One of Our Guides or Gardens

35 Flowering Shrubs That Thrive in Full Sun
Penstemon and Pollinators: A Harmonious Dance in the Garden
Thriving in Thirst: Colorful Penstemons for Water-Wise Landscapes
Penstemon: How to Grow and Care with Success
Penstemon (Beardtongue)
For the Love of Bees: Best Flowers to Attract them to Your Garden
How to Cultivate a Thriving Bee-Friendly Garden
Best Flowers to Attract Hummingbirds
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.
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Requirements

Hardiness 4 - 8
Plant Type Perennials, Shrubs
Plant Family Plantaginaceae
Genus Penstemon
Common names Penstemon, Beardtongue
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Early, Mid)
Height 1' - 3'
(30cm - 90cm)
Spread 1' - 2'
(30cm - 60cm)
Spacing 18" - 24"
(50cm - 60cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Low
Soil Type Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy
Native Plants California, United States, Washington, Oregon, Pacific Northwest, Idaho, Rocky Mountains, Utah
Tolerance Drought
Attracts Bees, Birds, Hummingbirds
Garden Uses Beds And Borders
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage, Gravel and Rock Garden, Prairie and Meadow
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Penstemon (Beardtongue)
Not sure which Penstemon (Beardtongue) to pick?
Compare Now

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