Customer Service Hours
Mon-Fri 8-4 MST
Features
Family
Plantaginaceae
Native
North America
Life Cycle
Perennial
Plant Height
Medium (12" - 24")
Flower Color
Mixed
Bloom Season
Spring to summer
Further Information
Plant Characteristics
- Attracts Hummingbirds
- Attracts Pollinators
- Cut Flower
- Good for Containers
Growing Conditions
- Drought Tolerant
- Heat Tolerant
About Penstemon
Penstemon barbatus
¾"–1" long flowers in pink, rose, blue and purple, borne on thin spires
Planting Penstemon
Plant Spacing
A group of 3 seeds every 8"–12"
Hardiness Zones
4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Light Required
Full sun
Plant Height
Medium (12" - 24")
Planting Depth
Press into surface
Planting Details
| Seed Depth | Press into surface |
|---|---|
| Seed Spacing | A group of 3 seeds every 8"–12" |
| Thinning | When 1" tall, thin to 1 every 8"–12" |
| Germination | 14–35 days |
| Start Indoors | 6 to 8 weeks before your average last frost date. Germinates best in cooler soils (near 55°F). |
| Direct Sow | 6 to 8 weeks before your average last frost date or late fall. |
Find Your Frost Date & Grow Zone
Average First Frost Date
October 19
Average Last Frost Date
May 19
Your Hardiness Zone is
5b
Send Your Recommendation
Total 5 star reviews: 11 Total 4 star reviews: 4 Total 3 star reviews: 2 Total 2 star reviews: 1 Total 1 star reviews: 1
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Rating
Which best describes you as a gardener?
19 reviews
- Teresa S.Verified BuyerRated 3 out of 5 stars4/11/26No luck yet.
I tried winter sowing them. No germination. . Now, I am trying again by starting in greenhouse. After 2weeks, nothing. Still waiting.
Which best describes you as a gardener? IntermediateBIBotanical Interests4/19/26Hey Teresa,
Thank you so much for taking the time to share your thoughts in a review. I've reached out to you via email to offer assistance. Your feedback is invaluable to us, and we are committed to ensuring your experience is positive. Thank you once again for your input. Keep on growing 🌻️
- MelissaRated 5 out of 5 stars2/20/265 Stars
Can't wait for it to start warming up so I can start planting
- DonitaRated 5 out of 5 stars1/17/265 Stars
Love, love these penstemon they blamed so long through the summer!
- Douglas D.Verified BuyerRated 4 out of 5 stars9/27/25Penstemon
Good germination, but only 40% survived
Which best describes you as a gardener? IntermediateBIBotanical Interests9/29/25Hey Douglas,
Thanks so much for sharing your experience with the Dazzler Blend Penstemon seeds! We're really glad to hear that you had good germination - that's always such an encouraging start when you see those little seedlings popping up! We totally understand that it can be disappointing when not all of the seedlings make it through to maturity, and a 40% survival rate definitely sounds frustrating. Penstemons can sometimes be a bit tricky when they're young, especially if growing conditions change or they're transitioning from indoor to outdoor environments. It's great that you still ended up with some plants that made it through though - those survivors are likely to be really strong and should give you some beautiful blooms! We appreciate you taking the time to share your honest feedback with us. Keep on growing 🌻️
- Traci M.Rated 4 out of 5 stars5/30/244 Stars
Slow to grow in my clay soil. The first year plants were small and struggling with no blooms. This year, I'm delighted to see plants a foot high with 'dazzling' blooms. Well worth the wait.
BIBotanical Interests5/31/24Hey Traci, Thank you so much for sharing your photo! GORGEOUS!! Keep on growing 🌻️