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Scarlet Penstemon (2)

Scarlet Penstemons have spikes of tubular flowers which are very attractive to hummingbirds. They are similar to Scarlet Gilia but flowers are hanging and leaves differentiate. See Utah Penstemon for another red Penstemon.

Penstemon barbatus

Beard-lip Penstemon
Penstemon barbatus

Family: Plantain (Plantaginaceae)
AKA: Scarlet Bugler, Golden-beard Penstemon
Photo taken on: July 28, 2008
Location: Wet Mountains, Eastern CO
Life Zones: Foothills to montane
Habitat: Open, rocky soil in mixed conifer
 forests, mostly south

Grows to 4ft tall with long, narrow leaves spread along the stems. The flowers are 1½" long and have two long protruding upper lobes and three lower lobes with golden hairs in the throat.

Flora of North America reference.

Penstemon eatonii

Firecracker Penstemon
Penstemon eatonii

Family: Plantain (Plantaginaceae)
AKA: Eaton's Penstemon
Photo taken on: May 17, 2012
Location: Mesa Verde NP, CO
Life Zones: Foothills to montane
Habitat: Dry, open, woodlands

Grows to 3ft with leathery, oval to triangular leaves that clasp the stem. Flowers are a 1" long narrow tube with 5 small lobes.

Flora of North America reference.

Red & Orange Flowers