Cleveland's beardtongue
Penstemon clevelandii
Last reviewed: October 2026
Cleveland's beardtongue (Penstemon clevelandii) is a perennial forb native to CA. It blooms in March, April, and May. The flowers draw hummingbirds and bees.
Toxicity unknown
Cleveland's beardtongue (Penstemon clevelandii) 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
low
Size
12"–30" H × 12"–18" W
Bloom
Mar, Apr, May
Native to
CA
Pollinators
hummingbirds, bees
Before you buy
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Browse plants for this ecoregion
An upright perennial with rounded blue-green leaves and spikes of bright magenta-pink tubular flowers in spring. Grows in a neat clump on dry rocky desert slopes.
Growing Cleveland's beardtongue
Grow Cleveland's beardtongue in full sun and low water. Mature plants reach 12 to 30 inches tall and spread 12 to 18 inches wide.
Wildlife value
Vividly colored tubular flowers are a strong early-season draw for hummingbirds, with bees also visiting.
Common questions
- How much sun does Cleveland's beardtongue need?
- Cleveland's beardtongue grows best in full sun conditions.
- When does Cleveland's beardtongue bloom?
- Cleveland's beardtongue blooms in March, April, and May.
- Where is Cleveland's beardtongue native?
- Cleveland's beardtongue (Penstemon clevelandii) is native to CA, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
- What pollinators does Cleveland's beardtongue attract?
- Cleveland's beardtongue draws hummingbirds and bees.
Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. 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 Cleveland's beardtongue? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.