woodland wildflower
Beardlip Penstemon
Penstemon barbatus
Also known as Scarlet Bugler, Beard-lip Penstemon, Beard-lip Beardtongue, Red Penstemon, Red Beardtongue, Goldenbeard Penstemon, Goldenbeard Beardtongue, Saint Joseph's Staff, Varita De San Jose
1 of 2Native to Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Texas, and Utah
Sonora in Mexico, north through Arizona, New Mexico, and western Texas to Utah and Colorado
- Light Partial shade Sun tolerance
- Moisture Dry Moisture preference
- Zones n/a Cold to heat range
- Bloom Jun–Oct Flowering time
- Height up to 3 ft to 0.9 m
- Life cycle Perennial Annual to perennial
In the garden
A woodland wildflower for partial shade and lean, dry soil. At up to 3 ft, it suits shade gardens and woodland edges.
Growing conditions
Light
Full sun Partial shade Full shade
Moisture
Dry Moist Wet
Pollinators & wildlife
- Bees Common Eastern Bumble Bee also Brown-belted Bumble Bee, Two-spotted Bumble Bee, Nevada Bumble Bee
- Hummingbirds Ruby-throated Hummingbird also Rufous Hummingbird, Broad-billed Hummingbird, Broad-tailed Hummingbird
- Butterflies Anise Swallowtail also Persius Duskywing, Yvretta rhesus
- Also visited by
- Moths: Meris alticola
Butterflies that use this plant
Documented host and nectar records. Each links to a planting guide for that butterfly.
- Baltimore checkerspotcaterpillar host
Full plant details
Where it grows
- Habitat
- WoodlandThe wild plant community it grows in.
- Native range
- Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Texas, and UtahUnited States (5): AZ, CO, NM, TX, UT. Where it grows wild on its own, by state and province.
- Native distribution
- Sonora in Mexico, north through Arizona, New Mexico, and western Texas to Utah and ColoradoThe same native range, usually more exact than the state list, and often noting where it has spread beyond it.
Growing conditions
- Light
- Partial shadeHow much sun it takes, from full sun to full shade.
- Moisture
- DryThe soil dampness it prefers, from dry to wet.
- Soil
- Rocky soilsThe soils it grows in naturally.
- Water use
- LowHow thirsty it is, a rough guide to how often to water.
Growth & form
- Height
- up to 3 ft (to 0.9 m)Typical mature height.
- Life cycle
- PerennialWhether it lives a single season (annual), two (biennial), or returns for years (perennial).
Flowers, foliage & fruit
- Type
- WildflowerWhat kind of plant it is.
- Bloom
- Jun–OctWhen it flowers.
- Flower color
- RedThe bloom color, or colors.
- Fruit/Seeds
- CapsuleThe seed or fruit it sets after flowering.
- Toxicity
- None knownWhether any part is poisonous to people or pets.