Desert Penstemon
(Penstemon ambiguus)
Desert Penstemon (Penstemon ambiguus)
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Matt Lavin
CC BY-SA 2.0
Image By:
Matt Lavin
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Copyright:
CC BY-SA 2.0
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: Matt Lavin | License Type: CC BY-SA 2.0 | License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/ | Uploader: Matt Lavin | Publisher: Flickr
Estimated Native Range
Summary
Penstemon ambiguus, commonly known as Desert Penstemon or Gilia Beardtongue, is a deciduous perennial subshrub or herb native to the desert Southwest, including regions such as the Great Basin, Colorado Plateau, and the Mojave, Sonoran, and Chihuahuan Deserts. It is adapted to arid environments, often found in sandy to gravelly soils of open areas, washes, and slopes. This plant typically grows to a height of 1-4 feet (0.3-1.2 meters) and a width of 1-3 feet (0.3-0.9 meters), featuring glaucous, blue-green foliage and a bushy growth habit.
Desert Penstemon is valued for its tubular flowers that are a blend of pale pink to lavender, occasionally with a white throat, blooming from late spring to early summer. The flowers are highly attractive to hummingbirds and pollinators, making it a beneficial addition to wildlife gardens. It is often used in xeriscaping, rock gardens, and as a border plant due to its drought tolerance and low maintenance requirements. Desert Penstemon thrives in full sun and requires well-drained soil, ideally sandy or loamy, and is tolerant of poor fertility. While it is generally disease-free, root rot can occur in poorly drained soils. It is not known to have aggressive roots or to be invasive.CC BY-SA 4.0
Desert Penstemon is valued for its tubular flowers that are a blend of pale pink to lavender, occasionally with a white throat, blooming from late spring to early summer. The flowers are highly attractive to hummingbirds and pollinators, making it a beneficial addition to wildlife gardens. It is often used in xeriscaping, rock gardens, and as a border plant due to its drought tolerance and low maintenance requirements. Desert Penstemon thrives in full sun and requires well-drained soil, ideally sandy or loamy, and is tolerant of poor fertility. While it is generally disease-free, root rot can occur in poorly drained soils. It is not known to have aggressive roots or to be invasive.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Subshrub, Herb
- Height: 1-4 feet
- Width: 1-3 feet
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Flower Color: Red, White
- Flowering Season: Spring, Summer, Fall
- Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun
- Water: Low, Very Low
- Drainage: Fast
Common Uses
Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Butterfly Garden, Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Fire Resistant, Groundcover, Hummingbird Garden, Low Maintenance, Rabbit Resistant, Showy Flowers
Natural Habitat
Native to the desert Southwest, including the Great Basin, Colorado Plateau, and the Mojave, Sonoran, and Chihuahuan Deserts
Other Names
Common Names: Pink Plains Penstemon, Bush Penstemon, Gilia Penstemon
Scientific Names: , Penstemon ambiguus, Leiostemon ambiguus, Penstemon ambiguus var. foliosus,
GBIF Accepted Name: Penstemon ambiguus Torr.