Native Plant Database

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Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Shrub
Size Notes: 1-1.5 feet.
Flower:
Fruit:
Size Class: 1-3 ft.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Red
Bloom Time: Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep

Distribution

USA: TX
Native Distribution: In TX, Edwards Plateau & Trans-Pecos; also adjacent Mex.
Native Habitat: Limestone crevices & bluffs. Limestone bluffs of the Edwards Plateau and Trans-Pecos. Well-drained limestone.
USDA Native Status: L48(N)

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Low
Light Requirement: Sun , Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry
Soil pH: Acidic (pH<6.8)
Soil Description: Well-drained, limestone soils. Rocky, Gravelly, Sandy, Limestone-based.
Conditions Comments: Clustered spikes of cherry-red, tubular flowers line the stalks of this almost shrubby perennial. Baccharis-leaf beardtongue or rock penstemons dark-green leaves are thick and toothed, and sometimes are quite hairy. This beardtongue attracts hummingbirds and is browsed by deer.

Benefit

Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Attracts: Hummingbirds
Nectar Source: yes
Deer Resistant: Minimal

Value to Beneficial Insects

Special Value to Native Bees

This information was provided by the Pollinator Program at The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.

Propagation

Propagation Material: Seeds
Description: Take cuttings on new growth in spring or on cut back plants in the nursery. Pot up rooted cuttings right away as they decline fast under the mist. Works from seed too, but grows very slowly and seed is hard to collect.
Seed Collection: Not Available
Seed Treatment: Germination is best with cold-moist stratification.
Commercially Avail: yes
Maintenance: Drought tolerant rock penstemon can be cut back to maintain a dense, bushy shape. Good drainage is critical to avoid root rot. Protection from direct west sun is helpful. Avoid overwatering.

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is either on display or available from the following:

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - Austin, TX
Texas Discovery Gardens - Dallas, TX
Tohono Chul Park, Inc. - Tucson, AZ
Native Plant Society of Texas - Fredericksburg, TX
NPSOT - Fredericksburg Chapter - Fredericksburg, TX
NPSOT - Austin Chapter - Austin, TX
NPSOT - Williamson County Chapter - Georgetown, TX, TX

Wildflower Center Seed Bank

LBJWC-MLE-7 Collected 2009-09-01 in Terrell County by Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Bibliography

Bibref 355 - Landscaping with Native Plants of Texas and the Southwest (1991) Miller, G. O.
Bibref 765 - McMillen's Texas Gardening: Wildflowers (1998) Howard, D.
Bibref 318 - Native Texas Plants: Landscaping Region by Region (2002) Wasowski, S. & A. Wasowski
Bibref 281 - Shinners & Mahler's Illustrated Flora of North Central Texas (1999) Diggs, G. M.; B. L. Lipscomb; B. O'Kennon; W. F...
Bibref 286 - Wildflowers of the Texas Hill Country (1989) Enquist, M.

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From the Archive

Wildflower Newsletter 1990 VOL. 7, NO.6 - Members Respond to Grasslands Appeal, Wildflower Center Opening Midwest Regional...

Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

USDA: Find Penstemon baccharifolius in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Penstemon baccharifolius in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Penstemon baccharifolius