Pineleaf penstemon Penstemon pinifolius
Pineleaf penstemon (Penstemon pinifolius) is an evergreen perennial flowering plant in the Plantaginaceae family, native to Mountains of south-western New Mexico, south-eastern Arizona and northern Mexico. It grows 20–40 cm (8–16 in) tall and 30–50 cm (12–20 in) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about -30 °C (-22 °F). Space plants about 35 cm (14 in) apart.
Plan Pineleaf penstemon in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Pineleaf penstemon at a glance
| Type | Perennial flowering plant, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Plantaginaceae |
| Mature height | 20–40 cm (8–16 in) |
| Mature spread | 30–50 cm (12–20 in) |
| Spacing | 35 cm (14 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 -30 °C (-22 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 4) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 36 °C (97 °F) |
| Flowering | from about June for 6–10 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Mountains of south-western New Mexico, south-eastern Arizona and northern Mexico |
| Common in gardens of | 🇺🇸 United States, 🇲🇽 Mexico, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇩🇪 Germany |
Is Pineleaf penstemon toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Not known to be poisonous.
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 Pineleaf penstemon
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and low water.
Questions about Pineleaf penstemon
- How far apart should I plant Pineleaf penstemon?
- About 35 cm (14 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 30–50 cm (12–20 in).
- Does Pineleaf penstemon need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 7 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Pineleaf penstemon need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is high and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Pineleaf penstemon?
- It tolerates about -30 °C (-22 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 4.
- When does Pineleaf penstemon flower?
- From about June for 6–10 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Pineleaf 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. Not known to be poisonous.
- What grows well with Pineleaf penstemon?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Pineleaf penstemon. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (low).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder, Missouri Botanical Garden
- Alpine Garden Society Encyclopaedia of Alpines and plant portraits, Alpine Garden Society, Pershore (UK)
Notes and assumptions
- A rock-garden plant: give it gritty, very free-draining soil, full light and a collar of gravel around the neck; winter wet kills it far more often than cold.
- A small evergreen subshrub with needle-like leaves like a tiny pine, and slender scarlet-orange tubular flowers all summer that hummingbirds love; ‘Mersea Yellow’ is a yellow form.
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
- Parry's penstemon Penstemon parryi
- Rice paddy herb (ngò om) Limnophila aromatica
- Angelonia (summer snapdragon) Angelonia angustifolia