Superb penstemon
Penstemon superbus
Last reviewed: August 2026
Penstemon superbus, or Superb penstemon, sends up spikes of red-orange tubular flowers from March through May. It favors full sun, low water, and the rocky, well-drained soils common to desert grassland and scrub habitats in the Southwest.
Toxicity unknown
Superb penstemon (Penstemon superbus) 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
24"–48" H × 12"–24" W
Bloom
Mar, Apr, May
Native to
AZ, NM
Pollinators
hummingbirds, bees
Before you buy
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An evergreen perennial forb with a basal rosette of leathery leaves and tall spikes of vivid coral-red, tubular flowers in spring. Highly drought tolerant and well suited to lean, fast-draining soil in full sun, providing a striking splash of seasonal color.
Growing Superb penstemon
Grow Superb penstemon in full sun and low water. Mature plants reach 24 to 48 inches tall and spread 12 to 24 inches wide. Expect low maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.
In an HOA neighborhood
Superb penstemon 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
Its bright tubular flowers are a favored nectar source for hummingbirds and bees.
Common questions
- When does Superb penstemon bloom?
- Superb penstemon generally flowers from March through May, sending up tall spikes of tubular red-orange blossoms.
- What pollinates Superb penstemon?
- The tubular flowers of Superb penstemon attract hummingbirds along with various bees, which visit for nectar and pollen.
- How much sun and water does Superb penstemon need?
- It performs best in full sun with low supplemental water, matching the arid, well-drained conditions of the rocky slopes and desert grasslands where it is often found.
- Is Superb penstemon a shrub or a wildflower?
- It is a forb, meaning an herbaceous perennial wildflower, not a woody shrub or tree.
- Is Superb penstemon HOA-friendly?
- Superb penstemon 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.
Ready to grow Superb penstemon? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.
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