pickup icon

Close-up of Richardson's penstemon flower (Penstemon richardsonii). One of approximately 200 species of Pacific Northwest native plants available at Sparrowhawk Native Plants, Native Plant Nursery in Portland, Oregon.
Close-up of the toothed leaves of Richardson's penstemon growing wild on a rocky slope (Penstemon richardsonii). One of approximately 200 species of Pacific Northwest native plants available at Sparrowhawk Native Plants, Native Plant Nursery in Portland, Oregon.
A young Richardson's penstemon (Penstemon richardsonii) growing in the wild. One of approximately 200 species of Pacific Northwest native plants available at Sparrowhawk Native Plants, Native Plant Nursery in Portland, Oregon.
A flowering stem of Richardson's penstemon with bee (Penstemon richardsonii). One of approximately 200 species of Pacific Northwest native plants available at Sparrowhawk Native Plants, Native Plant Nursery in Portland, Oregon.
A flowering stem of Richardson's penstemon (Penstemon richardsonii). One of approximately 200 species of Pacific Northwest native plants available at Sparrowhawk Native Plants, Native Plant Nursery in Portland, Oregon.
Two mature Richardson's penstemon growing wild on a rocky slope (Penstemon richardsonii). One of approximately 200 species of Pacific Northwest native plants available at Sparrowhawk Native Plants, Native Plant Nursery in Portland, Oregon.

Richardson's Penstemon

Penstemon richardsonii

This summer blooming wildflower is a hummingbird magnet, provides vivid rosy-purple color to habitat gardens, and is an important nectar and foraging source for pollinators. The foliage is dusty green and at times even reddish, with deeply-toothed margins, forming dense, almost shrub-like mounds over time. 

  • Plant type/canopy layer: deciduous, perennial, herbaceous plant
  • Size at maturity: 8"-36" tall, equally wide (becomes woody/shrub-like over time)
  • Light requirements: full sun, part sun/part shade
  • Moisture requirements: dry to moist soil
  • Bloom time: May - September (June-July in the Portland Metro area)
  • Growth rate/ease: medium growth rate, easy to grow
  • Wildlife support: flowers attract and provide nectar for hummingbirds, adult butterflies, bees, other native insect pollinators; overall plant attracts and supports beneficial and other pest eating insects and is a caterpillar host plant and larval food source for native butterflies and moths
  • Native habitat/range: commonly found growing in shrub-steppe, dry rocky sites in central Washington and north-central Oregon. Portland Plant List - yes. 
  • Special features & uses: pollinator and hummingbird favorite; drought tolerant; landscape uses include pollinator gardens and rock gardens 

Gardening with Richardson’s Penstemon: This carefree perennial prefers sunny, dry, well-drained habitats, like a dry meadowscape, rock graden or pollinator garden. It looks especially gorgeous cascading over rock walls, retaining walls, rock features and garden edges.  

Photo Credits 1, 4, 5: "Penstemon richardsonii" by peganum is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0

Photo Credits 2 & 3 (foliage, young plant): © Jeffrey Lee (he/him/his), some rights reserved (CC-BY) 

Photo Credit 6 (in the wild): © Henrik Kibak, some rights reserved (CC-BY) 

Back to Hummingbird Garden