Penstemon pinifolius

Penstemon pinifolius, the pine-leaved penstemon or pine-needle beardtongue, is a species of flowering plant in the plantain family Plantaginaceae, native to the southwestern USA.

Growing to 20 cm tall and broad, it is a small evergreen shrub with arching stems of narrow needle-like leaves and bright scarlet tubular flowers in summer. Its natural habitats in the rocky uplands of Arizona and New Mexico are a clue to its preferences in cultivation. Though moderately hardy to -10 C it requires an extremely well-drained, sunny position with some protection from hard frosts in winter.

The species and the cultivar 'Wisley Flame' have both gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit. 'Mersea Yellow' is another notable cultivar, with brilliant lemon-yellow flowers.