Coral Penstemon. Penstemon superbus.	Coral Penstemon. Penstemon superbus.
Coral Penstemon. Penstemon superbus.	Coral Penstemon. Penstemon superbus.

Coral Penstemon. Penstemon superbus, Snapdragon or Figwort Family: ( Scrophulariaceae ), Coral Penstemon. Also Called: Superb Penstemon, Superb Beardtongue, Penstemon puniceus. We wish to thank Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia for some of the information on this page. We share images and information with Wikipedia. A low evergreen shrub, or herbaceous perennial. This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds. It has sprawling or upright growth patterns. The flower stalks are often arched over near the tops and straighten out as the stem gains strength. The corolla lobes are very small so that it appears to be a very narrow long closed tube instead of being open. This short-lived perennial grows to 2 feet wide and produces coral blooms on stalks that may reach 6 feet high. Can flower from February to as late as June. Fast growing; heat-tolerant; hardy to 5�. Plant in fall. Grows well in filtered shade in well-draining soil. Needs regular summer water. Quick Notes: Height: About 3 - 4 feet in height. Flowers: The flower is coral color, funnel-shaped, with short round lobes. The corolla is about 3/4 inch long, glandular and hairy on the outside. It has a broad upper corolla with a 2 - lobed lip, bent upward. The lower corolla lip is 3 - lobed and bent downward. There are 5 stamens, the fifth is sterile but bearded at the tip. Blooming Time: February - May. Stalk: Several erect, sparsely leaved stems with pinkish-lavender, bilaterally symmetrical flowers in a long, open, interrupted cluster. Leaves: Green to blue - green, fleshy, about 2 - 5 inches long, basal leaves petiolate; cauline leaves cordate-clasping or connate-perfoliate. Found: The USDA claims it is native to the USA (AZ, NM). It is also found in Mexico in northern Sonora, & Chihuahua. Elevation: As a native plant, Coral Penstemon occurs at elevations of 3,500 to 5,500 feet. Hardiness:. We have heard of it being hardy to Zone 4a, but have never seen it any higher in elevation than Zone 8a. USDA Zone 4a: to -34.4 �C (-30 �F) USDA Zone 4b: to -31.6 �C (-25 �F) USDA Zone 5a: to -28.8 �C (-20 �F) USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 �C (-15 �F) USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 �C (-10 �F) USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 �C (-5 �F) USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 �C (0 �F) USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 �C (5 �F) USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 �C (10 �F) USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 �C (15 �F) USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 �C (20 �F) USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 �C (25 �F) USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 �C (30 �F) USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 �C (35 �F) Soil pH requirements: 6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic) 6.6 to 7.5 (neutral) 7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline) Sun Exposure: Full Sun Some Shade Habitat: Rocky canyons and washes of Arizona, New Mexico, and northern Mexico. Chalky/alkaline, Dry, Sandy, Well-drained/light soils, sandy washes. Miscellaneous: Photos Taken February 21, 2008. Glendale, Arizona. Drought-tolerant; suitable for xeriscaping.