Davidson’s Penstemon

(Penstemon davidsonii)

Davidson’s Penstemon (Penstemon davidsonii)

John A Haskins

CC BY 4.0

Image By: John A Haskins

Recorded By:

Estimated Native Range

Summary

Penstemon davidsonii, commonly known as Davidson’s Penstemon, is an evergreen perennial subshrub or herb native to the mountainous regions, including alpine areas and subalpine coniferous forests, in the Western United States and British Columbia. This low, mat-forming plant typically grows up to 10 centimeters (3.9 inches) tall and is well-suited for rock gardens and alpine plantings. The leaves of Davidson’s Penstemon are up to 1.5 centimeters (0.59 inches) long, thick, and firm, with entire to serrulate margins, often forming dense mats that can serve as effective ground cover. The flowers are tubular, blue-lavender to purple, and large relative to the short stature of the plant, blooming from late spring to early summer and providing a showy display that attracts pollinators such as bees and hummingbirds.

Davidson’s Penstemon is valued for its low water requirements, making it an excellent choice for xeriscaping and rock gardens. It thrives in full sun to partial shade and prefers well-drained soils, often found in its native rocky, mountainous habitats. While it is generally low-maintenance, it may be susceptible to root rot if overwatered or planted in poorly drained soils. Gardeners often use this plant for its ornamental flowers and as a ground cover in challenging dry sites where other plants might struggle.CC BY-SA 4.0

Plant Description

Plant Type: Subshrub, Herb
Height: 0.5-0.8 feet
Width: 0.5-0.8 feet
Growth Rate: Slow, Moderate
Flower Color: Purple
Flowering Season: Spring, Summer
Leaf Retention: Evergreen

Growth Requirements

Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
Water: Low
Drainage: Medium

Common Uses

Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Border Plant, Butterfly Garden, Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Fire Resistant, Groundcover, Hummingbird Garden, Low Maintenance, Rabbit Resistant, Rock Garden, Salt Tolerant, Showy Flowers

Natural Habitat

Mountainous regions, including alpine areas and subalpine coniferous forests

Other Names

Common Names: Davidson’s Beardtongue, Creeping Beardtongue, Timberline Beardtongue, Penstémon De Davidson, Topp-Penstemon, Timberline Penstemon

Scientific Names: , Penstemon davidsonii, Penstemon menziesii var. davidsonii, Penstemon menziesii subsp. davidsonii, Penstemon menziesii f. davidsonii, Penstemon menziesii subsp. thompsoniae, Penstemon menziesii subsp. thompsonii,

GBIF Accepted Name: Penstemon davidsonii Greene