San gabriel beardtongue
Penstemon labrosus
Last reviewed: October 2026
San gabriel beardtongue (Penstemon labrosus) is a perennial forb native to CA. It blooms in June, July, and August. The flowers draw hummingbirds.
Toxicity unknown
San gabriel beardtongue (Penstemon labrosus) 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"–24" H × 12"–18" W
Bloom
Jun, Jul, Aug
Native to
CA
Pollinators
hummingbirds
Before you buy
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Browse plants for this ecoregion
This beardtongue is a perennial forb with a low basal rosette of evergreen leaves and tall stalks of tubular red-orange flowers in summer. It grows on rocky mountain slopes.
Growing San gabriel beardtongue
Grow San gabriel beardtongue in full sun and low water. Mature plants reach 12 to 24 inches tall and spread 12 to 18 inches wide.
Wildlife value
Host plant for Variable Checkerspot.
The tubular red flowers are especially attractive to hummingbirds, and the genus is a documented host for the Variable Checkerspot butterfly.
Common questions
- How much sun does San gabriel beardtongue need?
- San gabriel beardtongue grows best in full sun conditions.
- When does San gabriel beardtongue bloom?
- San gabriel beardtongue blooms in June, July, and August.
- Where is San gabriel beardtongue native?
- San gabriel beardtongue (Penstemon labrosus) is native to CA, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
- What butterflies or moths does San gabriel beardtongue host?
- San gabriel beardtongue is a larval host plant for Variable Checkerspot.
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 San gabriel beardtongue? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.