How much sun does Shrubby penstemon need?

Shrubby penstemon grows best in full sun conditions.

When does Shrubby penstemon bloom?

Shrubby penstemon blooms in June and July.

Where is Shrubby penstemon native?

Shrubby penstemon (Penstemon venustus) is native to CA, ID, OR, UT and 1 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).

What pollinators does Shrubby penstemon attract?

Shrubby penstemon draws bumble bees and hummingbirds.

Shrubby penstemon

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Penstemon venustus

Last reviewed: October 2026

Shrubby penstemon (Penstemon venustus) is a perennial forb native to CA, ID, OR, UT and 1 more states. It blooms in June and July. The flowers draw bumble bees and hummingbirds.

Toxicity unknown

Shrubby penstemon (Penstemon venustus) 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

16"–30" H × 12"–18" W

Bloom

Jun, Jul

Native to

CA, ID, OR, UT and 1 more states

Pollinators

bumble bees, hummingbirds

Before you buy

Your city may pay you to plant this

Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 458 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

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Browse plants for this ecoregion

North American Deserts Northwestern Forested Mountains

An upright perennial with glossy leaves and showy spikes of large, deep blue-purple tubular flowers in early summer. Forms a clean, well-behaved clump on rocky slopes.

Growing Shrubby penstemon

Grow Shrubby penstemon in full sun and low water. Mature plants reach 16 to 30 inches tall and spread 12 to 18 inches wide.

Wildlife value

Its large showy flowers are a strong draw for bumble bees and hummingbirds.

Common questions

How much sun does Shrubby penstemon need?: Shrubby penstemon grows best in full sun conditions.
When does Shrubby penstemon bloom?: Shrubby penstemon blooms in June and July.
Where is Shrubby penstemon native?: Shrubby penstemon (Penstemon venustus) is native to CA, ID, OR, UT and 1 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
What pollinators does Shrubby penstemon attract?: Shrubby 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.

See all plant problem guides

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