Carried by 45 nurseries
View Availability at NurseryData provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria
View additional distribution information on the Jepson eflora
Firecracker penstemon (Penstemon eatonii) is a striking perennial with bright red, tubular flowers that attract hummingbirds. Native to Southern and Central California, it thrives in desert mountains and the Mojave Desert at elevations of 4,900–9,200 feet.
This heat-loving, drought-tolerant plant is ideal for rock gardens, desert landscapes, and interior valleys. Its long, scarlet flower spikes add vibrant color while supporting pollinators in dry, sunny gardens.
Perennial herb
2 - 3 ft Tall
3 ft Wide
Upright
Moderate
Winter Deciduous
Red, Yellow
Summer, Spring
Containers, Deer resistant
Full Sun, Partial Shade
Very Low
Max 1x / month once established
Easy
Tolerates cold to 20° F
Fast
Sand or decomposed granite.
Soil PH: 6.0 - 8.0
For propagating by seed: 1 to 2 months stratification.
1, 2, 3, 7*, 10, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21
Higher-elevation deserts of southern and eastern California, below 8000 feet.
Creosote Bush Scrub, Pinyon-Juniper Woodland
Use with other high-desert plants such as Big Sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata), Brittlebush (Encelia spp.), Apache Plume (Fallugia paradoxa), Juniper (Juniperus spp.), Pinyon Pine (Pinus monophylla),
Desert Scrub Oak (Quercus cornelius-mulleri), Desert Sage (Salvia dorrii), and Joshua Tree (Yucca brevifolia).
Butterflies and moths supported
0 confirmed and 12 likely
Anicia Checkerspot
Euphydryas anicia
Variable Checkerspot
Euphydryas chalcedona
Edith's Checkerspot
Euphydryas editha