Taper-Leaf Penstemon

Penstemon attenuatus

Plantaginaceae

• Spokane native
• USDA Zone 4-8
• Full Sun - Shade
• Size: 1.5' tall x 1.5' wide
• Drought Tolerant: Yes
• Evergreen: no
• Flower Color: Blue, purple, pink, or white flowers (June to August)
• Wildlife Value: Attracts hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies

Taper-Leaf Penstemon is an eye-catching native perennial that thrives in well-drained, sandy to gravelly soils. This beautiful wildflower performs best in full sun to part shade and is well-adapted to Spokane's climate. The plant forms attractive clumps with upright flowering stems rising from basal foliage, creating a tidy, vertical accent in the garden.

The tubular flowers are rich in color, appearing in shades of blue, purple, pink, or white depending on the individual plant. They are arranged in whorls along the upper portion of the stems, creating showy spikes that bloom from June through August. Each flower is perfectly shaped for pollination by hummingbirds and long-tongued bees. The glossy green leaves are lance-shaped and taper toward both ends, giving the plant its common name. The foliage remains attractive throughout the growing season.

This native penstemon is valuable for attracting hummingbirds, which are drawn to the tubular flowers. Native bees and butterflies also visit the blooms regularly for nectar and pollen. The extended bloom period ensures sustained food resources for these important pollinators throughout the summer. Like other penstemons, this species has natural compounds that make it unpalatable to deer and most browsing animals.

Taper-Leaf Penstemon is excellent for perennial borders, wildflower meadows, and rock gardens. It combines beautifully with other native plants and provides reliable summer color with minimal maintenance. Plant in groups of three or more for maximum visual impact. Excellent companions include Wild Blue Flax, Blanket Flower, yarrow, and native grasses such as Blue Grama. The vertical flower spikes provide nice contrast with mounding or spreading plants. This penstemon also works well in pollinator gardens and hummingbird gardens.