Actual size and flowering may vary slightly based on season.
Coral Penstemon
Coral Penstemon, also called superb penstemon, is one of the larger penstemons, with spikes of coral flowers that can reach 5 to 6 feet in spring. Hummingbirds are its main visitors, and bees come too. Between blooms it is a clump of large blue-green leaves, often tinged purple, about 2 feet across. It is native to rocky canyons and washes in southern Arizona.
Best for: tall spring color at the back of a bed, hummingbird and bee gardens, and rock gardens with sandy soil in full sun.
The flower spikes rise well above the leaves, up to about 6 feet. Put it behind lower plants so the coral flowers stand out.
Hummingbirds are the main pollinator, and bumblebees and carpenter bees visit too. The flower spikes are coral to peachy red and open in spring.
It grows wild in rocky canyons and along washes. Set plants about 2 to 3 feet apart in sandy soil that drains, in full sun.
In too much shade or a damp spot, the spikes flop over and powdery mildew can set in. Overwatering can rot the roots. The plants also live only a few years, though they can reseed.
- Bed or border2-3 ft apart
- Mass planting2 ft apart
Water a new plant every 2 to 4 days for the first few weeks, then stretch the time between waterings. Once it is rooted, give it low to moderate water, with occasional soaks through the hot, dry months and little in winter. Do not overwater, since soggy soil rots the roots.
Cut off finished flower stalks. Cutting stalks as the last flowers fade, before seed forms, can bring a second round of flowers. Leave a few stalks to ripen seed if you want new plants.
It is a short-lived plant that lasts a few years. It can reseed where the soil suits it.
Grow it in full sun. In too much shade it makes fewer flowers, the stalks flop and powdery mildew can show up.
Drainage test first. Dig the hole and fill it with water. If water is still sitting in the hole a day later, you likely hit caliche, clay or hard soil, so fix the drainage before planting. If it drains very fast, the soil is sandy. Standing water around roots is a common reason new plants fail.
Weed cloth. Cut it away from the planting hole and where the roots will spread. Remove any plastic sheeting completely, since it keeps water and air out of the soil.
Rock or decomposed granite with no soil underneath. Bring in soil close in texture to your native soil, mix it with the soil below, and build up enough depth for roots before planting.
If you can break through. Use a breaker bar, pick, or jackhammer. Dig through the caliche and break out the solid chunks. Backfill with the soil you dug out, with no compost or manure in the hole. Confirm drainage before planting.
If you cannot break through. Dig narrow holes through the hard layer beside the root ball, not under it, and refill them with the same soil, not gravel. If it still will not drain, plant on a low mound of the same soil.
Root ball. Check the outside edges for any roots circling around. Loosen or cut those so they grow outward. Do not break up the center of the root ball.
Depth. The top of the root ball should sit at or just slightly above the surrounding soil level. Planting too deep can lead to rot and kill the plant.
Drip emitters. At planting, put the emitters on the root ball, on different sides of the plant. After about 2 months, move them to the outer edge of the root ball. Over the first year, add emitters farther out toward the edge of the branches as roots grow. Once a plant is rooted, never water only at the trunk.
How tall does coral penstemon get?
The leaves form a clump about 2 feet across. When it blooms, the flower spikes can reach 5 to 6 feet tall.
When does coral penstemon bloom?
It blooms in spring, with coral to peachy red flower spikes. Leave the spikes up while hummingbirds are visiting.
Is coral penstemon the same as superb penstemon?
Yes. Both names are used for the same plant, Penstemon superbus.
Is coral penstemon native to Arizona?
Yes. It grows in rocky canyons and along washes in southern Arizona, and into New Mexico and northern Mexico.
How far apart should I plant coral penstemon?
Plant them about 2 to 3 feet apart, or about 2 feet apart for a mass planting. The Spacing tab shows the numbers.
Does coral penstemon need full sun?
Yes. In too much shade or damp, the tall spikes flop and powdery mildew can show up, so give it a sunny spot.
How much water does coral penstemon need?
It needs low to moderate water, with occasional soaks to get through the hot, dry months. Do not overwater, and plant it in soil that drains.
Does coral penstemon attract hummingbirds?
Yes. Hummingbirds are the main pollinator, and bees and butterflies visit the flowers as well.
Should I cut back coral penstemon after it blooms?
Cut off the finished flower stalks. If you cut them before seed pods form, it can put out more flowers.
How cold hardy is coral penstemon?
It is rated to about -10°F, so cold is not a concern in the Valley.
How long does coral penstemon live?
It is a short-lived perennial that usually lasts a few years. It can reseed where the soil suits it, so leave a few stalks to ripen seed.
Does coral penstemon stay green in winter?
Yes. The blue-green leaves stay on the clump all year, and the flower spikes rise from it in spring.
Coral Penstemon for sale in Arizona, delivered to you
Coral Penstemon is an Arizona native with tall spikes of coral flowers, and it is one of the larger penstemons. It blooms in spring and draws hummingbirds. Below is what to expect in a Valley yard, from size, bloom time, sun and water to spacing, pruning and cold.
Sourced from trusted Arizona growers and delivered directly to your door, job site, or property. We deliver across the Valley and to nearby towns, and quote delivery anywhere else in Arizona.
Does coral penstemon grow well in Arizona?
Yes. Coral penstemon, or superb penstemon, is native to rocky canyons and washes in southern Arizona. In a yard it wants full sun, soil that drains and occasional summer water.
How tall does superb penstemon get?
The flower spikes can reach 5 to 6 feet tall in spring, making it one of the larger penstemons. The leaf clump stays about 2 feet across.
When does coral penstemon bloom?
It blooms in spring, and hummingbirds and bees visit the coral flowers while it is in bloom.
How far apart do you plant coral penstemon?
Space plants about 2 to 3 feet apart in full sun. Put coral penstemon toward the back of a bed, behind lower plants.
How do you prune coral penstemon?
Cut off the finished flower stalks. Removing them before seed pods form can bring more flowers.
What is the difference between coral penstemon and Parry's penstemon?
Coral penstemon has coral flowers on taller spikes, 5 to 6 feet. Parry's has hot pink flowers on 3 to 4 foot spikes and blooms earlier, from late February. Both of them are Arizona natives.
We deliver across the Valley, from Phoenix, Scottsdale and Mesa out to San Tan Valley, Maricopa and Casa Grande, and up to Prescott, Sedona, Payson and Globe. See delivery areas and rates.