eastern smooth penstemon
Penstemon laevigatus
USDA zones5 to 9
SunNeeds full sun (6+ hours)
WaterHandles dry to wet soil
Size1 to 4 feet tall2 to 3 feet wide
- Growth rate
- Moderate
- Habit
- Herb
- Bloom season
- Spring, summer
- Bloom color
- Purple
- Foliage color
- Green
- Soil types
- Loam
Garden uses
Attracts
Notes
Eastern smooth penstemon (Penstemon laevigatus) is a perennial for pollinator gardens, cottage gardens, and meadows. It is hardy to USDA zone 5, or down to -20°F (-29°C). This plant likes full sun and dry to wet, loamy soil. It sits low on the menu for deer. It blooms purple in spring and again in summer, and butterflies, hummingbirds, and bees visit the flowers.
Pairs well with Blue-eyed grass, Little bluestem, and Yarrow.
Native range
AL, CT, DC, DE, and 15 more places. See all 19
AL, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, KY, LA, MA, MD, MS, NC, NJ, OH, PA, SC, TN, VA, and WV.