Plant Highlights

Similar to P. centranthifolius in growth and appearance, Firecracker penstemon boasts beautiful red blooms on elegant long stalks up to 4’ tall in spring and early summer. It is a heat tolerant penstemon, suitable for desert gardens, yet can also tolerate shade better than most other penstemons. Firecracker penstemon is a magnet for wildlife since hummingbirds and butterflies are notoriously fond of tubular, red flowers. Finding a place in the garden to tuck this little beauty shouldn’t be hard at all…it grows to a neat 1’ to 3’ tall and wide bush with attractive lance shaped green leaves, and prefers soil with good drainage. A sprinkling of water a few times a month in the hottest parts of summer will help this tough CA native look its best.