Penstemon 'Firebird' | Red Beardtongue | Hummingbird Flower | Long Blooming Perennial | Drought Tolerant Plant | 1 Gallon Live Plant

Bring vibrant color and pollinator activity to your garden with Penstemon 'Firebird', a striking semi-evergreen perennial prized for its brilliant crimson-red flowers and exceptionally long bloom season. This classic Beardtongue produces tall spikes of tubular blooms from mid-summer through fall, attracting hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies while thriving in sunny, well-drained gardens.

Its upright habit, dark green foliage, and wine-red stems make it an excellent choice for cottage gardens, pollinator borders, and drought-tolerant landscapes.

Key Features

• Botanical Name: Penstemon 'Firebird' (Penstemon 'Schoenholzeri')
• Common Name: Firebird Beardtongue
• Life Cycle: Semi-Evergreen Perennial
• Flower Color: Crimson Red with White Throats
• Foliage: Dark Green
• Plant Height: 24–36 inches
• Spread: 18–24 inches
• Bloom Season: Mid-Summer through Fall
• Growth Habit: Upright, Bushy Clump
• Light Requirements: Full Sun
• Water Needs: Low once established
• Hardiness Zones: 5–9
• Features: Pollinator-Friendly, Drought Tolerant, Deer Resistant, Long Blooming

Garden Uses

✔ Pollinator and Hummingbird Gardens
✔ Cottage Gardens and Mixed Borders
✔ Drought-Tolerant Landscapes
✔ Container Plantings
✔ Prairie and Naturalistic Gardens
✔ Cut Flower Gardens

Planting Partners

Pair with:

• Echinacea – Long-lasting blooms and pollinator appeal
• Salvia – Contrasting flower spikes and color
• Coreopsis – Bright yellow flowers complement red blooms
• Russian Sage – Soft lavender-blue contrast
• Lavender – Fragrant foliage and drought tolerance

Care Tips

• Plant in full sun for the best flowering.
• Prefers well-drained sandy or loamy soil.
• Water regularly during establishment; drought tolerant afterward.
• Deadhead spent blooms to encourage additional flowering.
• Cut back stems in early spring to encourage vigorous new growth.
• Avoid overly wet winter soils.