How much sun does Davidson's penstemon need?

Davidson's penstemon grows best in full sun conditions.

When does Davidson's penstemon bloom?

Davidson's penstemon blooms in June, July, and August.

Where is Davidson's penstemon native?

Davidson's penstemon (Penstemon davidsonii) is native to CA, NV, OR, WA, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).

What pollinators does Davidson's penstemon attract?

Davidson's penstemon draws bumble bees and hummingbirds.

Davidson's penstemon

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Penstemon davidsonii

Last reviewed: October 2026

Davidson's penstemon (Penstemon davidsonii) is a perennial shrub native to CA, NV, OR, WA. It blooms in June, July, and August. The flowers draw bumble bees and hummingbirds.

Toxicity unknown

Davidson's penstemon (Penstemon davidsonii) 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

2"–6" H × 8"–16" W

Bloom

Jun, Jul, Aug

Native to

CA, NV, OR, WA

Pollinators

bumble bees, hummingbirds

Before you buy

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Browse plants for this ecoregion

Coast Range Northwestern Forested Mountains Sierra Nevada North American Deserts Central Basin and Range

A mat-forming, woody subshrub with small, thick, glossy leaves that hug rocky ground, topped with large, showy, purple-blue tubular flowers relative to the plant's small size. Grows on rocky alpine and subalpine slopes and talus.

Growing Davidson's penstemon

Grow Davidson's penstemon in full sun and low water. Mature plants reach 2 to 6 inches tall and spread 8 to 16 inches wide.

Wildlife value

The oversized, nectar-rich flowers attract bumble bees and occasionally hummingbirds in high-elevation rock garden habitat.

Common questions

How much sun does Davidson's penstemon need?: Davidson's penstemon grows best in full sun conditions.
When does Davidson's penstemon bloom?: Davidson's penstemon blooms in June, July, and August.
Where is Davidson's penstemon native?: Davidson's penstemon (Penstemon davidsonii) is native to CA, NV, OR, WA, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
What pollinators does Davidson's penstemon attract?: Davidson's penstemon draws bumble 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.

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