Perennial
Red Rocks Penstemon
Penstemon × mexicali 'P008S' (RED ROCKS®)
Rose-pink bells for months on a compact, semi-evergreen penstemon bred for Western gardens.
- Pollinator
- Hummingbird
- Plant Select®
Quick facts
- Hardiness
- USDA zones 4–8
- Water
- Low once established
- Sun
- Full sun to Part sun
- Size
- 14–18 in. tall × 12–14 in. wide
- Bloom & interest
- Rose-pink bells from late spring through summer, with rebloom if deadheaded
- Plant type
- Perennial
- Native range
- Not native to the US (non-invasive garden plant)
- Plant Select
- Plant Select® recommended plant
Why we recommend it
A Plant Select winner (1999) that blooms far longer than most penstemons, stays compact, and brings hummingbirds to small dry beds. A hybrid of Mexican and Southwestern species, it tolerates garden soil better than wild penstemons.
Best regions: Front RangeHigh DesertGreat Basin
How to grow it
Watering to establish
Water weekly the first summer; after that, every 2–3 weeks in hot, dry spells.
Pruning
Deadhead spent spikes to encourage rebloom; leave the evergreen basal leaves in winter and tidy them in spring.
Soil
Well-drained soil, lean to average. Avoid heavy wet clay and bark mulch around the crown.
Pairs well with
Read more
We haven't written about Red Rocks Penstemon in depth yet. Browse all plant guides.
Where to buy
Shop Red Rocks Penstemon from trusted growers. For the best selection of xeric plants, try a mail-order specialist or ask a local independent nursery.
- High Country Gardens (opens in a new tab)Xeric specialist
- Nature Hills Nursery (opens in a new tab)Wide selection
- American Meadows (opens in a new tab)Perennials & seeds
- Etsy (opens in a new tab)Small growers
Some links are affiliate links. If you buy through them, Xeriscaping.com may earn a commission at no cost to you. We only list plants we'd actually plant. Affiliate disclosure