Penstemon newberryi
mountain pride
Overview
Penstemon newberryi is a low, mat-forming, woody-based perennial (subshrub) in the plantain family, spreading 1-3 feet (30-90 cm) wide while standing only 6-16 inches (15-40 cm) tall. It forms loose mats of trailing woody stems set with small, leathery, evergreen leaves that have finely toothed edges and a blue-green cast. In late spring and early summer, upright flowering stems carry clusters of tubular rose-pink to magenta flowers about 1 inch (2.5 cm) long, each with a slightly two-lipped mouth and a hairy throat. It grows on rocky, granite slopes, cliffs, and talus in the mountains of the western United States, rooting in cracks and gravelly pockets. The flowers are pollinated mainly by hummingbirds and bees. As a high-elevation rock-dweller it needs fast drainage and cool conditions and does poorly in heavy, wet, or hot lowland soils. Small dry capsules follow the flowers and split to release seed. The mat stays evergreen through winter where snow cover protects it.
Native Range
Penstemon newberryi is native to the mountains of the western United States, especially the Sierra Nevada and Cascade ranges of California, Nevada, and Oregon. It grows on granite slopes, rock crevices, cliffs, and talus at middle to high elevations.Suggested Uses
Penstemon newberryi is used in rock gardens, crevice and alpine gardens, gravelly slopes, and dry stone walls in cool-climate regions. Its mat habit and bright flowers suit hummingbird and pollinator plantings on sharply drained sites. It combines with other alpine and rock-garden plants such as sedums, buckwheats, and dwarf conifers.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height6" - 1'4"
Width/Spread1' - 3'
Reaches mature size in approximately 3 years
Bloom Information
Flowering occurs in late spring and early summer, mainly June to July at mountain elevations, later where snow lingers. Upright stems carry the rose-magenta tubular flowers above the evergreen mat for several weeks. Hummingbirds and bees are the main visitors. Dry seed capsules ripen by late summer and split to shed seed.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
rose-pink to magentaFoliage Description
blue-greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-10 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Penstemon newberryi grows in full sun and sharp, fast-draining gravelly or rocky soil in cool climates. It needs sharp drainage and declines in heavy, rich, or wet soil, which causes the crown to rot. Once established it is drought tolerant and needs little summer water, matching its dry mountain origin. It is hardy in USDA zones 5 through 8 but struggles in hot, humid lowland gardens. Seed germinates after cold, moist stratification, and stem cuttings root in a gritty mix. The evergreen mat needs little care beyond lean, well-drained conditions.Pruning
Little pruning is needed. Spent flower stems can be trimmed off after bloom to keep the mat neat. Light shearing of straggly woody stems in spring encourages denser growth.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
summer
Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 2 gallons