Broadleaf penstemon
Penstemon ovatus
Last reviewed: October 2026
Broadleaf penstemon (Penstemon ovatus) is a perennial forb native to OR, WA. It blooms in May, June, and July. The flowers draw bees and hummingbirds.

Toxicity unknown
Broadleaf penstemon (Penstemon ovatus) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.
Light
full sun
Water
medium
Size
18"–36" H × 12"–18" W
Bloom
May, Jun, Jul
Native to
OR, WA
Pollinators
bees, hummingbirds
Before you buy
Your city may pay you to plant this
Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 460 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.
Find rebates in your areaPicture natives in your own yard
Upload a photo of your yard and Patch Vision shows a rendering of it planted with natives for your region, like Broadleaf penstemon.
Browse plants for this ecoregion
Upright perennial with broad, glossy leaves and tall spikes of vivid blue to purple tubular flowers. Found in open woodlands and meadows.
Growing Broadleaf penstemon
Grow Broadleaf penstemon in full sun and medium water. Mature plants reach 18 to 36 inches tall and spread 12 to 18 inches wide.
Wildlife value
Flowers are highly attractive to native bees and hummingbirds.
Common questions
- How much sun does Broadleaf penstemon need?
- Broadleaf penstemon grows best in full sun conditions.
- When does Broadleaf penstemon bloom?
- Broadleaf penstemon blooms in May, June, and July.
- Where is Broadleaf penstemon native?
- Broadleaf penstemon (Penstemon ovatus) is native to OR, WA, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
- What pollinators does Broadleaf penstemon attract?
- Broadleaf penstemon draws bees and hummingbirds.
Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.
If something looks wrong
Common plant problems, and what to check first
These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.
- It is dying right after planting
- Leaves turning yellow
- Wilting even though I watered it
- Brown crispy leaf tips
- Bugs on the plant
Ready to grow Broadleaf penstemon? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.
