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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.

Richardson's penstemon (Penstemon richardsonii)
Photo: (c) Gabriel Campbell-Martinez, some rights reserved (CC BY)

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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Picture 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 Richardson's penstemon.

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.

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Ready to grow Richardson's penstemon? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.