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Native Plant Society of Texas

Home » Native Plants » Native Plant Database » Penstemon triflorus

Hill Country Penstemon

Penstemon triflorus

Other common name(s):

Heller's Beardtongue, Hill Country Beardtongue, Scarlet Penstemon, Scarlet Beardtongue, Heller's Penstemon

Family:

Plantaginaceae (Plantain Family)

Courtesy; Wasowski, Sally and Andy, https://www.wildflower.org/gallery/result.php?id_image=23673

Photo Credit: Paul Montgomery

Plant Ecoregion Distribution Map

Edwards Plateau

Balcones Canyonlands, Edwards Plateau Woodland, Llano Uplift, Semiarid Edwards Plateau

Plant Characteristics

Growth Form

Herbaceous

Height

1.5

to

2.5

ft.

Spread

0.5

to

1.5

ft.

Leaf Retention

Deciduous

Lifespan

Perennial

Habitat and Care Requirements

Soil Type(s)

Rocky, Limestone, Well Drained

Light Requirement

Sun, Part Shade

Water Requirement

Low

Native Habitat

Grassland

Bloom and Attraction

Bloom Color

Red, Pink

Bloom Season

Spring, Summer

Seasonal Interest

Nectar

Wildlife Benefit

Hummingbirds

Maintenance

Needs well drained soil. It will hybridize with Penstemon cobea. Cut stems back when they turn brown or let go to seed. Propagation: Seed, cuttings. Cold moist stratification seems to work best for germination.

Comments

Blooms March-July. Small bushy stature, intense red color, and large flowers set this penstemon apart from others. It makes good cut flowers. Pollination: Hummingbirds and bees.

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. 2002. 4) https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=PETR2. 5) http://bonap.net/TDC/Image/Map?taxonType=Species&taxonId=17289&locationType=County&mapType=Normal. 6) https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=34005#null, 7) Native and Adapted Landscape Plants, City of Austin and Texas A&M, 2014.

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State Office Address:
Native Plant Society of Texas
PO Box 3017
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