Parry's penstemon Penstemon parryi
Parry's penstemon (Penstemon parryi) is an evergreen perennial flowering plant in the Plantaginaceae family, native to Sonoran Desert (Arizona, Sonora). It grows 60 cm–1.2 m (24 in–3.9 ft) tall and 30–50 cm (12–20 in) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about -9 °C (16 °F). Space plants about 40 cm (16 in) apart.
Plan Parry's penstemon in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Parry's penstemon at a glance
| Type | Perennial flowering plant, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Plantaginaceae |
| Mature height | 60 cm–1.2 m (24 in–3.9 ft) |
| Mature spread | 30–50 cm (12–20 in) |
| Spacing | 40 cm (16 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 7 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance high, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 6.5–8.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -9 °C (16 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 8) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 45 °C (113 °F) |
| Flowering | from about March for 4–6 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Sonoran Desert (Arizona, Sonora) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇺🇸 United States, 🇲🇽 Mexico |
Is Parry's penstemon toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
No toxicity reported in ASPCA or standard poison references.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Parry's penstemon
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and low water.
See Parry's penstemon in a botanical garden
It grows in this sample garden, which you can walk through in 3D:
- Desert Botanical Garden (24 plants)
Questions about Parry's penstemon
- How far apart should I plant Parry's penstemon?
- About 40 cm (16 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 30–50 cm (12–20 in).
- Does Parry's penstemon need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 7 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Parry's penstemon need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is high and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Parry's penstemon?
- It tolerates about -9 °C (16 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 8.
- When does Parry's penstemon flower?
- From about March for 4–6 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Parry's penstemon poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. No toxicity reported in ASPCA or standard poison references.
- What grows well with Parry's penstemon?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Parry's penstemon. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (low).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- Desert Botanical Garden plant collections and trails, Desert Botanical Garden, Phoenix
- USDA PLANTS Database, USDA NRCS
Notes and assumptions
- Desert plant: needs sharp drainage and little summer water once established; rots in wet, heavy soil.
- Spikes of magenta tubular flowers in early spring; a hummingbird plant; reseeds.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Foxglove Digitalis purpurea
- Snapdragon Antirrhinum majus
- Penstemon (beardtongue) Penstemon digitalis
- Hebe Veronica speciosa
- Fairy foxglove Erinus alpinus
- Rice paddy herb (ngò om) Limnophila aromatica
- Angelonia (summer snapdragon) Angelonia angustifolia
- Spiked speedwell Veronica spicata