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Rock Penstemon

Penstemon baccharifolius

Other common name(s):

Rock Beardtongue, Cut-leaf Penstemon, Cut-leaf Beardtongue, Baccharis-leaf Penstemon, Baccharis-leaf Beardtongue

Family:

Plantaginaceae (Plantain Family)

Plant Ecoregion Distribution Map

Chihuahuan Deserts, Edwards Plateau, Southern Texas Plains
Low Mountains and Bajadas, Stockton Plateau
Balcones Canyonlands, Edwards Plateau Woodland, Llano Uplift, Semiarid Edwards Plateau
Semiarid Edwards Bajada

Plant Characteristics

Growth Form

Herbaceous

Height

1
to
1.5
ft.

Spread

1
to
2
ft.

Leaf Retention

Semi Evergreen

Lifespan

Perennial

Habitat and Care Requirements

Soil Type(s)

Rocky, Limestone, Well Drained

Light Requirement

Sun

Water Requirement

Low

Native Habitat

Grassland

Bloom and Attraction

Bloom Color

Red

Bloom Season

Summer, Fall

Seasonal Interest

Nectar

Wildlife Benefit

Hummingbirds

Maintenance

Can be cut back late Fall to maintain a dense, bushy shape. Good drainage is critical to avoid root rot. Protection from direct west sun is helpful. Avoid overwatering. Remove spent bloom stems to encourage fullness. In the wild it grows in areas of exposed limestone. Propagation: Seeds, germination is best with cold-moist stratification; cuttings of new growth.

Comments

Blooms April-October. Evergreen with red flowers on spikes. The dark green leaves are thick and toothed and sometime quite hairy. Pollination: Attracts hummingbirds and is browsed by deer.

References

1) Griffith, Bryce, Omernick & Rodgers (2007). Ecoregions of Texas. 2) Miller, George O., Landscaping with Native Plants of Texas 2nd Ed., 2013, pg 48. 3) Wasowski and Wasowski, Native Texas Plants Landscaping Region by Region, 1991, pg. 200. 4) https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=PEBA. 5) http://bonap.net/TDC/Image/Map?taxonType=Species&taxonId=17279&locationType=County&mapType=Normal. 6) https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=33824#null, 7) Native and Adapted Landscape Plants, City of Austin and Texas A&M, 2014, 8) Eason, Michael, Wildflowers of Texas, 2023, pg 314.

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State Office Phone: 830.997.9272

State Office Address:
Native Plant Society of Texas
PO Box 3017
Fredericksburg, TX 78624

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