woodland wildflower
Bunchleaf Penstemon
Penstemon heterophyllus
Also known as Bunchleaf Beardtongue, Foothill Penstemon, Foothill Beardtongue
1 of 2Native to California
Coast Ranges from Humboldt to San Diego counties, California
- Light Partial shade Sun tolerance
- Moisture Dry Moisture preference
- Zones 6–11 Cold to heat range
- Bloom Apr–Jul Flowering time
- Height up to 5 ft to 1.5 m
- Life cycle Perennial Annual to perennial
In the garden
A woodland wildflower for partial shade and lean, dry soil. Its blue and purple flowers peak in June. At up to 5 ft, it needs room in shade gardens and woodland edges. Hardy in USDA zones 6–11.
Growing conditions
Light
Full sun Partial shade Full shade
Moisture
Dry Moist Wet
Hardiness zones
Find your zone:
When it blooms
The Bunchleaf Penstemon's blue and purple flowers bloom April to July, peaking in June. This early-summer display draws bees and wasps.
Bunchleaf Penstemon blooms blue & purpleFoliage
Pollinators & wildlife
- Bees Yellow-faced Bumble Bee
also Western Honey Bee, Black-tailed Bumble Bee, Bombus fervidus +6 more
Red-belted Bumble Bee, California Bumble Bee, Urbane Digger Bee, Van Dyke's Bumble Bee, Bindweed Turret Bee, Valley Carpenter Bee - Wasps Pseudomasaris vespoides
- Moths White-lined Sphinx
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
- CaliforniaUnited States (1): CA. Where it grows wild on its own, by state and province.
- Native distribution
- Coast Ranges from Humboldt to San Diego counties, CaliforniaThe 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.
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 6–11The cold-to-heat climate range it survives.
- Soil
- Dry, rocky soilsThe soils it grows in naturally.
Growth & form
- Height
- up to 5 ft (to 1.5 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
- Apr–JulWhen it flowers.
- Flower color
- Blue, PurpleThe bloom color, or colors.
- Fruit/Seeds
- Capsule; ripens Jun–SepThe seed or fruit it sets after flowering.
- Toxicity
- None knownWhether any part is poisonous to people or pets.