Parry's penstemon
Penstemon parryi
Last reviewed: August 2026
Penstemon parryi sends up tall spikes of pink to rose tubular flowers from February through May and performs best in full sun with low water, making it a good fit for desert and xeriscape gardens.
Toxicity unknown
Parry's penstemon (Penstemon parryi) 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
24"–36" H × 12"–18" W
Bloom
Feb, Mar, Apr, May
Native to
AZ, NM
Pollinators
hummingbirds, bees
Before you buy
Your city may pay you to plant this
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An evergreen perennial forb with a basal rosette of blue-green leaves and tall, slender spikes of bright pink, tubular flowers appearing in late winter to spring. Extremely drought tolerant, it thrives in lean, rocky, fast-draining soil and full sun as a vivid seasonal accent.
Growing Parry's penstemon
Grow Parry's penstemon in full sun and low water. Mature plants reach 24 to 36 inches tall and spread 12 to 18 inches wide. Expect low maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.
In an HOA neighborhood
Parry's 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
Early, abundant blooms provide an important nectar source for hummingbirds and bees.
Common questions
- When does Parry's penstemon bloom?
- Parry's penstemon typically flowers from February through May, sending up upright spikes of pink to rose tubular blooms.
- What pollinators does Penstemon parryi attract?
- The tubular pink flowers of Parry's penstemon attract hummingbirds and bees, which feed on the nectar as they move along the flower spikes.
- How much water does Parry's penstemon need?
- This plant is adapted to low water conditions and generally only needs extra irrigation while it is getting established or during long dry stretches.
- What light conditions suit Parry's penstemon best?
- Full sun brings out the strongest flowering and a compact, upright form on this plant.
- Is Parry's penstemon HOA-friendly?
- Parry's penstemon is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with low maintenance.
These answers were drafted with an AI model from this plant's data. Verify care details with a local expert.
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.
Ready to grow Parry's penstemon? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.
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