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Penstemon pinifolius (Pine-leaved penstemon)

Other names: Pineleaf penstemon, Pine needle penstemon, Pride of the Mountain

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Species
P. pinifolius is a compact, spreading, evergreen shrub with needle-like, light to mid-green leaves and loose spike-like racemes of narrowly tubular, scarlet flowers in summer.
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Season of interest

Flower

Spring Summer Autumn Winter
Flower

Foliage

Spring Summer Autumn Winter
Foliage
Height and spread

Height and spread

Size Max height Max spread To maturity
0.3 m 0.3 m 2-5 years
0 ft 0 ft 2-5 years

Where to grow

Soil type
  • Chalky
  • Loamy
  • Sandy
Soil drainage
  • Well-drained
Soil pH
  • Acid
  • Alkaline
  • Neutral
Sunlight
  • Partial Shade
  • Full Sun
Aspect
  • West
  • South
Exposure
  • Exposed
  • Sheltered

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Additional plant details

Cultivation

Grow in gritty, poor to moderately fertile, sharply-drained soil in full sun.

Suggested uses

Beds and borders, Cottage/Informal, City, Low Maintenance, Wildlife

UK hardiness

H4

USDA zones

Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8, Zone 9

Sunset zone

4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 1, 2, 3

WUCOLS

North-Central Coastal = Low
Central Valley = Low
South Coastal = Low
South Inland = Low
High and Intermediate Desert = Low
Low Desert = Low

Foliage

Evergreen

Habit

Upright, Bushy

Native to

Mexico

Drought tolerant

No

Flood tolerant

No

Toxicity

Not toxic

Plant care

Pruning

Deadhead to maintain vigour and cut back low in early spring.

Propagation methods

Division, Softwood cuttings, Semi-ripe cuttings

Pests

Slugs

Snails

Diseases

Generally disease-free.

Take softwood cuttings

Take semi-hardwood cuttings in late-summer

Deadhead regularly (optional)

Divide and replant in spring

Cut back to base (optional)

Plant in full sun or partial shade (autumn or spring)

Pruning Penstemon in Spring

Pruning Penstemon in Autumn

Other plants

Plants in this Genus (207)

Penstemon

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Penstemon (any variety)
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Penstemon 'Polaris Purple Bicoloured'
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Penstemon 'Polaris Purple Bicoloured' Penstemon 'Polaris Purple Bicoloured'
Penstemon 'Pensham Amelia Jane'
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Penstemon 'Pensham Amelia Jane' Penstemon 'Pensham Amelia Jane'
Penstemon 'Pershore Pink Necklace'
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Penstemon 'Pershore Pink Necklace' Penstemon 'Pershore Pink Necklace'
Penstemon 'Miniature Bells'
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Penstemon 'Miniature Bells' Penstemon 'Miniature Bells'
Penstemon 'Kilimanjaro' (Volcano Series)
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Penstemon 'Kilimanjaro' (Volcano Series) Penstemon 'Kilimanjaro'
Penstemon laetus subsp. roezlii
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Penstemon laetus subsp. roezlii Roezl's penstemon
Penstemon 'Margery Fish'
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Penstemon 'Margery Fish' Penstemon 'Margery Fish'
Penstemon Mexicali hybrids 'Carillo Purple' (Carillo Series)
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Penstemon Mexicali hybrids 'Carillo Purple' (Carillo Series) Penstemon 'Carillo Purple'
Penstemon 'Snowbells'
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Penstemon 'Snowbells' Penstemon 'Snowbells'
Penstemon 'Pensham Marjorie Lewis'
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Penstemon 'Pensham Marjorie Lewis' Penstemon 'Pensham Marjorie Lewis'
Penstemon 'Rich Ruby'
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Penstemon 'Rich Ruby' Penstemon 'Rich Ruby'
Penstemon 'Pensham Marilyn' (Pensham Series)
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Penstemon 'Pensham Marilyn' (Pensham Series) Penstemon 'Pensham Marilyn'
Penstemon 'Jean Grace'
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Penstemon 'Jean Grace' Penstemon 'Jean Grace'
Penstemon 'Louise Wilson'
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Penstemon 'Louise Wilson' Penstemon 'Louise Wilson'
Penstemon 'Pensham Freshwater Pearl'
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Penstemon 'Pensham Freshwater Pearl' Penstemon 'Pensham Freshwater Pearl'
Penstemon 'Pensham Saint James's'
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Penstemon 'Pensham Saint James's' Penstemon 'Pensham Saint James's'
Penstemon 'Ted's Purple'
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Penstemon 'Ted's Purple' Penstemon 'Ted's Purple'
Penstemon 'Music Maker' (Elgar Series)
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Penstemon 'Music Maker' (Elgar Series) Penstemon 'Music Maker'
Penstemon 'Pensham Skies'
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Penstemon 'Pensham Skies' Penstemon 'Pensham Skies'
Penstemon 'Newbury Gem'
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Penstemon 'Newbury Gem' Penstemon 'Newbury Gem'
Penstemon 'Pensham Tayberry Ice'
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Penstemon 'Pensham Tayberry Ice' Penstemon 'Pensham Tayberry Ice'
Penstemon 'Pensham Capricorn Moon'
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Penstemon 'Pensham Capricorn Moon' Penstemon 'Pensham Capricorn Moon'
Penstemon 'Pensham Raspberry Ice'
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Penstemon 'Pensham Raspberry Ice' Penstemon 'Pensham Raspberry Ice'
Penstemon 'Pensham Kay Burton'
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Penstemon 'Pensham Kay Burton' Penstemon 'Pensham Kay Burton'
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Companion plants (0)

Related content

Discuss Penstemon pinifolius with other Shoot members

Re: In my garden

Shoot User
638 0
You are right, the flowers are very similar but the leaves are different. I looked on Google, looks like Z. is not fully hardy, when P. is; although they are both alpine. I do like your plant, I'll try to find it in the UK. I'll make more photos of P. next season. Now my rockery is covered by double fleece (frost protection).
Posted: Friday 1st of February 2013 05:40 PM

Re: In my garden

ELAINE HUTSON
638 0
It looks like Zaushneria californica, it can be cut back in spring.
Posted: Friday 1st of February 2013 03:07 PM

In my garden

Shoot User
638 2
It's a beautiful plant like a piece of jewellery. I have it in my rockery. I moved it in 2012 and it performed well. Tiny steams are like pine tree needles, little red flowers are amazingly bright caching your eyes from distance. I've never cut it back in early spring as it's required. I may try this year.
Posted: Friday 1st of February 2013 10:10 AM
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