Plant care & info

Family: Scrophulariaceae (Figwort)

Genus: Penstemon

Common Name: Beard-tongue

Western North America and East Asia.

Whether mat-forming or upright varieties, all have the characteristic tubular flowers; five stamens, one typically bearded and protruding out to the end of the lower edge of the corolla. Flower color can be white, pink, blue, lavender and purple.

Most require sharp drainage, full sun, and relatively lean soil.

Late summer clean-up as needed—and that’s usually all that’s needed.

Occasional leaf-spot if too much retained moisture.

For more information, see these Websites:

Bosky Dell Natives
The American Penstemon Society

The name Penstemon comes from a slightly skewed translation from the Greek “Penta” (or “five”) in reference to the fifth, infertile, and often bearded stamen that protrudes from the tubular-lipped flower—givging the plant its common name, Beardtongue.

The majority of the fifty or so species of Penstemon that are native to the Pacific Northwest are alpine or otherwise high-altitude dwellers. They can be found in open areas and rocky outcroppings in the high Cascades, along the Columbia River Gorge, near the Wallowa mountains in the northeast, and the Siskiyous in the southwest.

So what does that mean for us here in the soggy Willamette Valley? Whether planted in rock gardens, troughs or other containers—all these beauties need is plenty of sun and sharp drainage. When provided with both, they will produce stunning, butterfly and hummingbird-friendly flowers in colors ranging from white to pink and blue, lavender, and purple.

There are also a couple species of Penstemon that reside on the western slope of the Cascades and can do just fine here on the valley floor, given sun and drainage (more on that in a minute). See? There is no reason to not have a Penstemon of your own!

Whether mat-forming or a more upright, woody shrub, the horizontal, tubular flowers are abundant and jewel-like; the leaves vary from small and round, almost succulent in nature to a toothed and leathery dark green. They are the same but different; once you get your first Penstemon, you may find yourself becoming a collector! They are arguably one of our most beautiful natives.

Explore Native Beard-Tongue

Cascade Penstemon

Penstemon Serrulatus: Cascade Penstemon

This is the Penstemon found west of the Cascades, more tolerant of moist conditions, and which grows successfully in the Willamette Valley. It is a small, woody shrub usually not rising above 2′, with clusters of small bright purple/lavender/blue flowers. Is considered drought-tolerant, but does better with regular water.

Broad-leaved Penstemon

Penstemon Ovatus: Broad-leaved Penstemon

Blue to purple flowers rise 12-40″ above a basal rosette of leaves in late spring/early summer. Found in Multnomah county north to British Columbia, it grows in damp sites along forest edges. This one does well at the coast!

Creeping Penstemon

Penstemon Davidsonii: David’s Penstemon, Creeping Penstemon

Named for George Davidson, an early plant collector, this diminutive native gets no taller than 6″ and is found in rocky outcroppings in the Coast range, Cascade and Steens mountains. Tiny, round leathery evergreen leaves topped with blue to purple flowers in summer.

Fine-toothed Penstemon

Penstemon Subserratus: Fine-toothed Penstemon

12-32″ tall, herbaceous, with blue flowers from late spring to early summer. Can be found in clearings on Mt. Hood.

Rock Penstemon

Penstemon Rupicola: Rock Penstemon

Shrubby, evergreen, prostrate in habit, with leathery blue-green leaves and flowers generally bright pink. From the Columbia Gorge into the mountains on both sides of the Cascades. Also on Larch Mountain.