Sulphur Beardtongue
Penstemon attenuatus
Last reviewed: September 2026
Penstemon attenuatus, or sulphur beardtongue, is a low water forb that blooms yellow from May through July, thriving in full sun in dry meadows and open forests of the interior Pacific Northwest and northern Rockies.
Toxicity unknown
Sulphur Beardtongue (Penstemon attenuatus) 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
6"–24" H × 4"–12" W
Bloom
May, Jun, Jul
Native to
ID, MT, OR, WA and 1 more states
Pollinators
bees, hummingbirds
Before you buy
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Penstemon attenuatus is a compact native perennial that produces tubular purple-blue flowers from May through July. This drought-tolerant plant maintains its foliage year-round and forms neat clumps that work well in organized garden settings.
Growing Sulphur Beardtongue
Grow Sulphur Beardtongue in full sun and low water. Mature plants reach 6 to 24 inches tall and spread 4 to 12 inches wide. Expect low maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.
In an HOA neighborhood
Sulphur Beardtongue 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
The tubular flowers are particularly attractive to hummingbirds and native bees during the summer blooming period.
Common questions
- When does sulphur beardtongue bloom?
- Sulphur beardtongue typically flowers from May through July, with exact timing shifting with elevation and how late snow lingers on the site.
- What pollinators visit Penstemon attenuatus?
- Bees are the main pollinators, and hummingbirds also visit the tubular yellow flowers for nectar.
- How much water does this plant need?
- It prefers low water once established and does best in well drained soils that dry out between waterings.
- What light does sulphur beardtongue prefer?
- Full sun is ideal, though plants often tolerate some part sun, especially at higher elevations or in cooler climates.
- What kind of habitat does it grow in?
- It is typically found in open forests, sagebrush steppe, and dry meadows, often on rocky or well drained slopes.
- Is Sulphur Beardtongue HOA-friendly?
- Sulphur Beardtongue 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.
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 Sulphur Beardtongue? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.
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