Carried by 8 nurseries
View Availability at NurseryData provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria
View additional distribution information on the Jepson eflora
Royal Penstemon is native to the western United States where it can be found in many types of habitat, including plateau and foothill scrub and sub-alpine mountain forests. It is a perennial herb growing erect to a maximum height near 60 centimeters. The leaves are usually lance-shaped and sometimes folded lengthwise, measuring up to 9 centimeters long. They are arranged oppositely and often clasp the stem at the bases. The showy flower cluster bears tubular flowers with expanded mouths, the largest reaching nearly 4 centimeters in length. The flowers come in many shades of light to deep blue, lavender, and purple, and usually have white throats.
Perennial herb
2 ft Tall
2 ft Wide
Upright
Fast, Moderate
Blue, Lavender, Purple
Summer, Spring
Containers
Full Sun, Partial Shade
Very Low
Max 2x / month once established
Moderate
Tolerates cold to 0° F
Fast
Tolerant of a variety of soils as long as adequate drainage is provided.
Soil PH: 6.0 - 8.0
For propagating by seed: 1-2 mos. stratification.
1, 2, 3, 7, 14, 15, 16
Sagebrush scrub, sub-alpine mountain forests (fir or pine), primarily inland mountain or foothill areas that experience hot summers and cold winters, such as the Owen's Valley and Modoc Plateau
Joshua Tree Woodland, Pinyon-Juniper Woodland, Red Fir Forest, Sagebrush Scrub, Yellow Pine Forest
Trees - Joshua Tree (Yucca brevifolia), Pinyon Pine (Pinus monophylla), Juniper (Juniperus spp.), Red Fir (Abies magnifica), Ponderosa Pine (Pinus ponderosa)
Shrubs and herbs - Big Sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata), Sulphur Buckwheat (Eriogonum umbellatum), Blue Flax (Linum lewisii), Scarlet Gilia (Ipomopsis aggregata), and Lupine (Lupinus spp.)
Butterflies and moths supported
0 confirmed and 17 likely
Geranium Plume Moth
Amblyptilia pica
Verbena Bud Moth
Endothenia hebesana
Anicia Checkerspot
Euphydryas anicia