Beautiful bee butts abound when there are penstemons in the garden – their light, blushing pink or purple tubular flowers are attractive to many types of pollinators, but their interactions with bee species is especially charming. Flowers are followed by attractive seed heads that can remain up through the winter for visual interest. Like most penstemons, this species has an evergreen basal rosette.
Calico Penstemon is unique amongst penstemons in that it is more shade tolerant than most, though the fiery red fall color is more likely to be seen in sunnier conditions. During the growing season, bright green leaves are punctuated by slender red stems. In its native range, Calico Penstemon is often found in moist open woods and meadows, alkaline outcroppings, and along stream banks and roadsides.
Conditions: Full sun to part shade; moist, rich, well-drained soils
Size: 1’ - 3’ tall, 1’ - 2’ spread
Zone: 5 – 8
Wildlife Value: Flowers attract bumblebees, leaf-cutter bees, and other pollinators, including a pollen specialist bee Osmia distincta; larval host for 10 different species of butterflies and moths in our area
Photo: Dave Korbonits