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Beardlip Penstemon

Penstemon barbatus

Last reviewed: June 2026

Beardlip Penstemon (Penstemon barbatus)
Photo: Sten Porse / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)

Light

full sun

Water

low

Size

12"–36" H × 12"–24" W

Bloom

Apr, May, Jun, Jul

Native to

AZ, CA, CO, NM and 2 more states

Pollinators

hummingbirds, bees

Browse plants for this ecoregion

Beardlip penstemon is a compact perennial wildflower that produces tubular red to pink flowers on upright stems from spring through summer. This drought-tolerant native maintains evergreen foliage year-round and forms neat clumps that work well in desert gardens.

In an HOA neighborhood

Beardlip Penstemon is an HOA-friendly choice. Maintenance level: low. Tidiness: 4 out of 5.

Works well in: front yard, foundation, street edge, mid zone.

Wildlife value

The tubular flowers are magnets for hummingbirds and also attract native bees. This plant provides reliable nectar from April through July.

Native range data from the USDA PLANTS Database and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

Does Beardlip Penstemon fit your yard? Open it in Pollinator Patch to check it against your sun, soil, and HOA-conscious filters.