prairie wildflower
Cliff Beardtongue
Penstemon rupicola
1 of 2Native to California, Oregon, and Washington
Washington to northern California
- Light Full sun Sun tolerance
- Moisture Dry Moisture preference
- Zones n/a Cold to heat range
- Bloom May–Aug Flowering time
- Height up to 6 in to 15 cm
- Life cycle Perennial Annual to perennial
In the garden
A prairie wildflower for full sun and lean, dry soil. Its pink and purple flowers peak in June. At up to 6 in, it tucks into meadows and sunny borders.
Growing conditions
Light
Full sun Partial shade Full shade
Moisture
Dry Moist Wet
When it blooms
The Cliff Beardtongue's pink and purple flowers bloom May to August, peaking in June. It's an early-summer display.
Cliff Beardtongue blooms pink & purpleFoliage
Pollinators & wildlife
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
- PrairieThe wild plant community it grows in.
- Native range
- California, Oregon, and WashingtonUnited States (3): CA, OR, WA. Where it grows wild on its own, by state and province.
- Native distribution
- Washington to northern CaliforniaThe same native range, usually more exact than the state list, and often noting where it has spread beyond it.
Growing conditions
- Light
- Full sunHow 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.
Growth & form
- Height
- up to 6 in (to 15 cm)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
- May–AugWhen it flowers.
- Flower color
- Pink, PurpleThe 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.