Penstemon X Mexicale 'Sunburst Amethyst'

Penstemon Sunburst Amethyst

Penstemon × mexicali ‘Sunburst Amethyst’
Sunburst Amethyst Beardtongue / Mexican Beardtongue

Penstemon × mexicali ‘Sunburst Amethyst’ is a compact, long-blooming herbaceous perennial with narrow green foliage and upright stems covered in two-toned amethyst-purple tubular flowers with pale, strongly veined throats. It blooms from early summer into late summer and brings strong color to sunny borders, pollinator gardens, rock gardens, cottage gardens, containers, and waterwise perennial plantings. Bluestone Perennials lists it at 20–28 in. tall with early summer to late summer bloom, while Little Prince describes it as a complex hybrid with amethyst-purple flowers and lighter throats.

Type: Herbaceous perennial
Mature Size: 18–24 in. wide × 20–28 in. tall
USDA Zones: 6a–9b; may need excellent drainage and winter protection in colder areas
Form: Compact clump with upright flowering stems
Light: Full sun
Soil / Water: Average to lean, well-drained soil; low to moderate water once established; avoid wet winter soil
Bloom Time / Length: Early summer to late summer
Wildlife: Attracts hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies

Features & Landscape Uses:
Excellent for sunny mixed borders, pollinator gardens, rock gardens, cottage gardens, xeriscapes, containers, and mass plantings. The purple flowers with pale throats give a bright, two-toned effect and combine well with ornamental grasses, nepeta, salvia, yarrow, coreopsis, sedum, artemisia, and other sun-loving perennials. An additional nursery listing notes that it blooms from early summer to later summer and performs well in dry climates once established.

Care:
Plant in full sun with sharp drainage. Avoid rich, wet, heavy soils, especially in winter. Deadhead spent stems to encourage a cleaner look and possible continued bloom. Cut old stems back after flowering or in early spring. In colder zones, plant in a raised bed, slope, gravelly soil, or other well-drained site to improve overwintering.

Plant type

Perennial

Height

20-28"

Width

18-24"

Hardiness zones

6–9

Sunlight

Full Sun, Partial Shade

Growth rate

Slow

Bloom time

Early Summer, Fall, Late Summer

Flower color

Red

Leaf color

Green

Fall color

Purple, White

Attracts

Bees, Butterflies, Hummingbirds

Soil

Average, Dry Area, Well Drained

Landscape use

Accent Plant, Border, Mass Planting

Shape

Clump, Compact, Upright

Deer resistant

Yes

Drought tolerant

No