Richardson's penstemon
Penstemon richardsonii
Last reviewed: September 2026
Richardson's penstemon (Penstemon richardsonii) is a perennial forb native to OR, WA. It blooms in June, July, and August. The flowers draw bees and hummingbirds.

Toxicity unknown
Richardson's penstemon (Penstemon richardsonii) 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"–24" W
Bloom
Jun, Jul, Aug
Native to
OR, WA
Pollinators
bees, hummingbirds
Before you buy
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Browse plants for this ecoregion
Woody-based perennial with narrow toothed leaves and loose spikes of bright pink tubular flowers in summer, growing in rock crevices and on dry basalt cliffs.
Growing Richardson's penstemon
Grow Richardson's penstemon in full sun and low water. Mature plants reach 12 to 30 inches tall and spread 12 to 24 inches wide.
Wildlife value
Tubular summer flowers attract hummingbirds and are a good nectar source for native bees.
Common questions
- How much sun does Richardson's penstemon need?
- Richardson's penstemon grows best in full sun conditions.
- When does Richardson's penstemon bloom?
- Richardson's penstemon blooms in June, July, and August.
- Where is Richardson's penstemon native?
- Richardson's penstemon (Penstemon richardsonii) is native to OR, WA, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
- What pollinators does Richardson's penstemon attract?
- Richardson's penstemon draws bees and hummingbirds.
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 Richardson's penstemon? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.
