How to identify Firecracker penstemon (Penstemon eatonii)

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Firecracker penstemon

How to identify Firecracker penstemon (Penstemon eatonii)

Firecracker penstemon, also known as Eaton's Beardtongue, Eaton's penstemon

Firecracker penstemon is an evergreen perennial/subshrub, growing up to 2 feet (60 cm) tall and wide when in bloom. Its robust structure is adorned with large, paired lanceolate and leathery leaves. The plant is most striking for its vivid scarlet-red, tubular flowers that tower above the foliage from late winter through spring. These blooms are notable for their enticing appearance, which stands out to attract various pollinators.

Lifespan: Perennial

Plant Type: Herb

Leaf Type: Semi-evergreen

Quickly Identify Firecracker penstemon

1

Evergreen perennial/subshrub reaching 2 feet (60 cm) tall/wide with large lanceolate leaves.

2

Vivid scarlet-red tubular flowers towering above foliage in late winter/spring.

Firecracker penstemon

Firecracker penstemon

Firecracker penstemon

Firecracker penstemon

Firecracker penstemon

Firecracker penstemon and Their Similar Plants

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Foxglove beardtongue vs. Firecracker penstemon: What's The Difference?

Foxglove beardtongue (Penstemon digitalis) is an herbaceous plant related to plantains. Penstemon digitalis means "finger-like" due to the plant's flowers resemblance to the fingers of a gloved hand. Foxglove beardtongue is easily grown and often cultivated on roadsides for landscaping purposes.

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Eastern gray beardtongue vs. Firecracker penstemon: What's The Difference?

Eastern gray beardtongue (Penstemon canescens) is indigenous to the Appalachian mountains in the eastern United States. It is easy to grow and drought-tolerant. This species prefers well-drained soil and full or partial sun. It attracts pollinators.

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Hairy Beardtongue vs. Firecracker penstemon: What's The Difference?

Hairy Beardtongue (Penstemon hirsutus) is a perennial named for the tiny hairs that grow along its stem. It blooms from spring to summer with trumpet-shaped lilac-purple flowers that grow along a flower stem attracting butterflies bees and hummingbirds. It thrives in full sun or partial shade and makes a great addition to a rock garden or nature garden.

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Wild Foxglove vs. Firecracker penstemon: What's The Difference?

The tube-like flowers of wild Foxglove attract hummingbirds, moths, butterflies, and other insects. Eventually, the wild Foxglove's flowers transform into blackened seed pods. They will grow in gardens, but new plants take several years to bloom.

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Eastern smooth beardtongue vs. Firecracker penstemon: What's The Difference?

Eastern smooth beardtongue (Penstemon laevigatus) is a flowering plant related to the banana plant native to the eastern United States. It grows naturally in the states of Maine, Georgia, and Mississippi. Eastern smooth beardtongue can grow in both the sun and shade.

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Foothill penstemon 'Margarita BOP' vs. Firecracker penstemon: What's The Difference?

The foothill penstemon 'Margarita BOP' cultivar of the Foothill penstemon was grown to live longer, be easy to grow, and resist deer. Planters appreciate it for the dramatic visual effect it offers when planted en masse along a dry mixed border. Its compact size means that it grows "tidy." The name has a dual origin, with "Margarita" referring to Santa Margarita, the place of its birth, and "BOP" an abbreviation for "back of porch," the specific location where it was found.

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Beardtongues 'Hidcote Pink' vs. Firecracker penstemon: What's The Difference?

Beardtongues 'Hidcote Pink' is a bushy beardtongue with large pink flowers, white throats, and purple stripes that bloom from mid-summer through fall. The leaves are lance-shaped and grey-green. Beardtongues 'Hidcote Pink' is named after the Hidcote Manor Garden in the United Kingdom.

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Southeastern beardtongue vs. Firecracker penstemon: What's The Difference?

Southeastern beardtongue, a hardy perennial native to the southeastern United States, flourishes in sandy soils and open woodlands. This resilient species boasts tubular, lavender to pale blue flowers, each emanating from leaf axils on erect, multiple-branched spikes. Lance-shaped foliage clings to stems, aiding in drought resistance, while the vibrant blooms attract pollinators like bees and hummingbirds, playing a pivotal role in the local ecosystem.

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Key Facts About Firecracker penstemon

Attributes of Firecracker penstemon

Lifespan

Perennial

Plant Type

Herb

Plant Height

1 m

Spread

30 cm

Leaf Color

Green

Blue

Leaf type

Semi-evergreen

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Scientific Classification of Firecracker penstemon

Phylum

Vascular plants

Class

Order

Mints plantains olives and allies

Family

Genus

Species

Firecracker penstemon (Penstemon eatonii)

Learn More About the Firecracker penstemon

Learn More About the Firecracker penstemon

A Comprehensive Guide to Firecracker penstemon How to Grow and Care for Firecracker penstemon