Penstemon Companion Plants: The Ultimate Guide

Are you looking for beautiful and low-maintenance plants to complement your penstemons? Look no further! In this article, we'll explore some of the best companion plants for penstemons. We'll look at different varieties of penstemons and suggest suitable companions for each one. Whether you're an experienced gardener or just ing out, this guide will help you create a stunning garden full of color and texture.

Why Choose Companion Plants for Penstemons?

Before we dive into the best companion plants for penstemons, let's take a moment to understand why it's important to choose suitable companions. Companion planting is a technique used by gardeners to improve plant health, increase yield, and deter pests. When planted together, certain plants can have a positive effect on each other, either by repelling pests, attracting beneficial insects, or improving soil quality. By choosing the right companions for your penstemons, you can create a thriving ecosystem in your garden.

Best Companion Plants for Penstemons

1. Purple Sage (Salvia dorrii)

Purple sage is a drought-tolerant perennial that pairs well with many types of penstemons. This hardy plant has silver-grey foliage and produces spikes of purple flowers in late spring and early summer. It thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, making it an ideal companion for penstemons that require similar growing conditions.

How to Plant Purple Sage with Penstemons

To plant purple sage with penstemons, choose a sunny spot in your garden and prepare the soil by adding compost. Plant the purple sage first, spacing the plants 2-3 feet apart. Then, plant the penstemons around the sage, leaving enough room for them to grow. Water the plants regularly, especially during the first few weeks after planting.

2. Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)

Yarrow is a perennial herb that produces clusters of small, daisy-like flowers in shades of white, pink, and yellow. This hardy plant is drought-tolerant and attracts beneficial insects such as ladybugs and lacewings, making it an ideal companion for penstemons.

How to Plant Yarrow with Penstemons

To plant yarrow with penstemons, choose a spot in your garden that receives full sun and has well-drained soil. Plant the yarrow first, spacing the plants 1-2 feet apart. Then, plant the penstemons around the yarrow, leaving enough room for them to grow. Water the plants regularly, especially during the first few weeks after planting.

3. Bee Balm (Monarda didyma)

Bee balm is a hardy perennial that produces clusters of tubular flowers in shades of red, pink, and purple. It attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, making it an excellent companion for penstemons.

How to Plant Bee Balm with Penstemons

To plant bee balm with penstemons, choose a spot in your garden that receives full sun or partial shade and has well-drained soil. Plant the bee balm first, spacing the plants 1-2 feet apart. Then, plant the penstemons around the bee balm, leaving enough room for them to grow. Water the plants regularly, especially during the first few weeks after planting.

4. Coneflowers (Echinacea purpurea)

Coneflowers are hardy perennials that produce large, daisy-like flowers in shades of pink, purple, and white. They attract bees, butterflies, and birds, making them an excellent companion for penstemons.

How to Plant Coneflowers with Penstemons

To plant coneflowers with penstemons, choose a sunny spot in your garden that has well-drained soil. Plant the coneflowers first, spacing the plants 2-3 feet apart. Then, plant the penstemons around the coneflowers, leaving enough room for them to grow. Water the plants regularly, especially during the first few weeks after planting.

5. Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)

Black-eyed Susan is a hardy perennial that produces bright yellow or orange flowers with dark centers. It attracts bees, butterflies, and birds, making it an ideal companion for penstemons.

How to Plant Black-Eyed Susan with Penstemons

To plant black-eyed Susan with penstemons, choose a sunny spot in your garden that has well-drained soil. Plant the black-eyed Susan first, spacing the plants 1-2 feet apart. Then, plant the penstemons around the black-eyed Susan, leaving enough room for them to grow. Water the plants regularly, especially during the first few weeks after planting.

6. Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa)

Butterfly weed is a hardy perennial that produces clusters of bright orange flowers. It attracts butterflies and other beneficial insects, making it an excellent companion for penstemons.

How to Plant Butterfly Weed with Penstemons

To plant butterfly weed with penstemons, choose a sunny spot in your garden that has well-drained soil. Plant the butterfly weed first, spacing the plants 2-3 feet apart. Then, plant the penstemons around the butterfly weed, leaving enough room for them to grow. Water the plants regularly, especially during the first few weeks after planting.

7. Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)

Lavender is a fragrant perennial that produces spikes of purple flowers. It attracts bees and other beneficial insects, making it an ideal companion for penstemons.

How to Plant Lavender with Penstemons

To plant lavender with penstemons, choose a sunny spot in your garden that has well-drained soil. Plant the lavender first, spacing the plants 2-3 feet apart. Then, plant the penstemons around the lavender, leaving enough room for them to grow. Water the plants regularly, especially during the first few weeks after planting.

8. Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia)

Russian sage is a hardy perennial that produces spikes of lavender-blue flowers. It thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, making it an ideal companion for penstemons that require similar growing conditions.

How to Plant Russian Sage with Penstemons

To plant Russian sage with penstemons, choose a sunny spot in your garden and prepare the soil by adding compost. Plant the Russian sage first, spacing the plants 2-3 feet apart. Then, plant the penstemons around the sage, leaving enough room for them to grow. Water the plants regularly, especially during the first few weeks after planting.

9. Verbena (Verbena bonariensis)

Verbena is a hardy perennial that produces clusters of small, colorful flowers. It attracts bees and butterflies, making it an excellent companion for penstemons.

How to Plant Verbena with Penstemons

To plant verbena with penstemons, choose a sunny spot in your garden that has well-drained soil. Plant the verbena first, spacing the plants 1-2 feet apart. Then, plant the penstemons around the verbena, leaving enough room for them to grow. Water the plants regularly, especially during the first few weeks after planting.

10. Sedum (Sedum spectabile)

Sedum is a hardy perennial that produces clusters of small, star-shaped flowers in shades of pink, red, and white. It thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, making it an ideal companion for penstemons that require similar growing conditions.

How to Plant Sedum with Penstemons

To plant sedum with penstemons, choose a sunny spot in your garden and prepare the soil by adding compost. Plant the sedum first, spacing the plants 1-2 feet apart. Then, plant the penstemons around the sedum, leaving enough room for them to grow. Water the plants regularly, especially during the first few weeks after planting.

11. Catmint (Nepeta faassenii)

Catmint is a hardy perennial that produces spikes of lavender-blue flowers. It attracts bees and butterflies, making it an excellent companion for penstemons.

How to Plant Catmint with Penstemons

To plant catmint with penstemons, choose a sunny spot in your garden that has well-drained soil. Plant the catmint first, spacing the plants 1-2 feet apart. Then, plant the penstemons around the catmint, leaving enough room for them to grow. Water the plants regularly, especially during the first few weeks after planting.

12. Daylilies (Hemerocallis spp.)

Daylilies are hardy perennials that produce showy flowers in a variety of colors. They attract bees and butterflies, making them an excellent companion for penstemons.

How to Plant Daylilies with Penstemons

To plant daylilies with penstemons, choose a sunny spot in your garden that has well-drained soil. Plant the daylilies first, spacing the plants 2-3 feet apart. Then, plant the penstemons around the daylilies, leaving enough room for them to grow. Water the plants regularly, especially during the first few weeks after planting.

13. Coreopsis (Coreopsis lanceolata)

Coreopsis is a hardy perennial that produces bright yellow flowers. It attracts bees and butterflies, making it an excellent companion for penstemons.

How to Plant Coreopsis with Penstemons

To plant coreopsis with penstemons, choose a sunny spot in your garden that has well-drained soil. Plant the coreopsis first, spacing the plants 1-2 feet apart. Then, plant the penstemons around the coreopsis, leaving enough room for them to grow. Water the plants regularly, especially during the first few weeks after planting.

14. Gaillardia (Gaillardia x grandiflora)

Gaillardia is a hardy perennial that produces large, daisy-like flowers in shades of red, yellow, and orange. It attracts bees and butterflies, making it an excellent companion for penstemons.

How to Plant Gaillardia with Penstemons

To plant gaillardia with penstemons, choose a sunny spot in your garden that has well-drained soil. Plant the gaillardia first, spacing the plants 1-2 feet apart. Then, plant the penstemons around the gaillardia, leaving enough room for them to grow. Water the plants regularly, especially during the first few weeks after planting.

15. Euphorbia (Euphorbia characias)

Euphorbia is a hardy perennial that produces clusters of green-yellow flowers. It thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, making it an ideal companion for penstemons that require similar growing conditions.

How to Plant Euphorbia with Penstemons

To plant euphorbia with penstemons, choose a sunny spot in your garden and prepare the soil by adding compost. Plant the euphorbia first, spacing the plants 2-3 feet apart. Then, plant the penstemons around the euphorbia, leaving enough room for them to grow. Water the plants regularly, especially during the first few weeks after planting.



In choosing the right companion plants for your penstemons can have a positive effect on their health and growth. By planting suitable companions, you can create a thriving ecosystem in your garden that attracts beneficial insects and repels pests. From purple sage to euphorbia, there are many beautiful and low-maintenance plants that pair well with penstemons.

FAQs

Q1. How often should I water my penstemons?

A1. Penstemons prefer well-drained soil and moderate watering. Water the plants deeply once a week, or more frequently during hot and dry weather.

Q2. Do penstemons attract bees and butterflies?

A2. Yes! Penstemons produce tubular flowers that are a favorite of bees and butterflies.

Q3. Can I grow penstemons in containers?

A3. Yes, you can grow penstemons in containers as long as they have good drainage and receive enough sunlight.

Q4. How do I prune my penstemons?

A4. Prune your penstemons in early spring by cutting back any dead or damaged stems. You can also pinch back the tips of the stems to encourage bushier growth.

Q5. Are penstemons deer-resistant?

A5. Some varieties of penstemons are deer-resistant, but not all. Check with your local nursery to find out which varieties are best for your area.