Superb Penstemon, Coral Penstemon (Penstemon superbus)
Type: Perennial
Size: 1 foot high, 1–2 feet wide, with flower stalks 3–6 feet high
Bloom: March–May
Water use: Low to moderate
This penstemon is a vigorous grower and, if allowed to colonize a bed or corner of the garden, will delight humans and hummingbirds alike for many years. Its vivid coral-red tubular flowers are packed with high-sucrose nectar and are avidly visited by hummingbirds.
Plants prefer a sandy or gravelly well-drained soil and are fairly drought tolerant, in most situations needing only a deep soaking once or twice a month during the summer if not on drip irrigation. They abhor overhead watering, including roof runoff. In most instances they do well in full sun to part shade; the shade of mesquites or acacias provides an ideal niche.
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Superb penstemon is terrific for rock gardens, borders and mass plantings.
