prairie wildflower
Showy Penstemon
Penstemon spectabilis
Also known as Showy Beardtongue, Royal Penstemon, Royal Beardtongue
1 of 2Native to California
Slopes west of the mountains in southern California
- Light Full sun Sun tolerance
- Moisture Dry Moisture preference
- Zones n/a Cold to heat range
- Bloom Apr–Jun Flowering time
- Height up to 4 ft to 1.2 m
- Life cycle Perennial Annual to perennial
In the garden
A prairie wildflower for full sun and lean, dry soil. At up to 4 ft, it suits meadows and sunny borders.
Growing conditions
Light
Full sun Partial shade Full shade
Moisture
Dry Moist Wet
Pollinators & wildlife
- Bees Yellow-faced Bumble Bee
also Black-tailed Bumble Bee, Bombus fervidus, California Bumble Bee +7 more
California Digger Bee, Crotch's Bumble Bee, Bindweed Turret Bee, Anthophora centriformis, Cactus chimney bees, Sonoran Bumble Bee, Valley Carpenter Bee - Hummingbirds Anna's Hummingbird also Costa's Hummingbird, Black-chinned Hummingbird
- Butterflies Eufala Skipper also Rural Skipper
- Also visited by
- Wasps: Pseudomasaris vespoides
- Beetles: Acmaeodera connexa
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
- CaliforniaUnited States (1): CA. Where it grows wild on its own, by state and province.
- Native distribution
- Slopes west of the mountains in southern 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 4 ft (to 1.2 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–JunWhen it flowers.
- Flower color
- Pink, Blue, 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.