Parry’s Penstemon is a desert wildflower native to Southern Arizona, Northern Mexico, and the Sonoran Desert.  This perennial blooms late February through early May.  In its native habitat plants flower in their second year; if cultivated flowers will usually bloom in the first year.

Leaves are bluish-green and at the base emerge the flower stalks, which are 1 to 3 feet in height and topped with pink deep-throated flowers attracting lots of hummingbirds, bees, butterflies and birds.

This lowland desert species thrives in full sun to partial shade and can survive on average rainfall, but not prolonged drought.  Plants are self-fertile and produce copious amounts of seeds.  With good rains seedlings will germinate, grow and bloom within a few months.  Division is possible, but seeds are the primary means of propagation.  

(hover mouse over each picture)

Scientific name: Penstemon parryi    

Common name: Parry’s Penstemon, Parry’s Beardtongue, Desert Penstemon

Family name: Scrophulariaceae

Origin: Southern Arizona, Northern Mexico, and the Sonoran Desert

Plant type: Perennial                          Leaf cover: Evergreen                              

Density: open                                         Texture: fine

Height ft.  2-4′                                        Width ft. 6″            

Form: upright                                          Growth Rate: fast                

Leaf Type: lanceolate                          Leaf Arrangement: rosette 

Leaf Shape: arrow shaped                Leaf Size: 6″                    

Leaf Color: bluish-green                    Leaf Fragrance: none     

Flower Sex: Hermaphroditic           Flower Showy: showy                             

Flower Cluster Type: wide funnel                

Flower Size: 3/4″                                  

Flower Season: Late February to early May  

Cut Flower: no                                      

Flower Fragrance: none                 

Flower Color: pink                            

USES: alkali tolerant,  background effect, border effect, flower effect, foliage effect, hillside, low maintenance, rock garden.

Comments: Removal of flowering stalks just as seed is forming will stimulate more blooms and prolonged life of plant.  Irrigating in the summer will enhance next years blooms.