Penstemon centranthifolius - Scarlet Bugler

Description

Hummingbirds love this 3' to 4' penstemon, with showy, trumpet-shaped, bright orange-red flowers and grey-green spoon shaped leaves. The native Indian name for this plant means "hummingbird's kiss". It is found in the North Coast Ranges and Sierra Nevada foothills south to Mexico, in chaparral and oak woodlands. As with most Penstemons it needs full sun, well drained soil, and little summer water. A nice plant in front of our native sages.