penstemon
noun
pen·ste·mon
pen(t)-ˈstē-mən 
ˈpen(t)-stə-
ˈpen(t)-stə-
variants
or less commonly pentstemon
: any of a genus (Penstemon) of perennial, chiefly North American herbs or low shrubs of the plantain family typically with spikes of showy, two-lipped, tubular flowers with two lobes on the upper lip and three lobes on the lower lip : beardtongue
In the pastel planting, pink penstemons with upright spikes of tubular flowers contrast with such mounding plants as pinks …—
Lynn Ocone
Lynn OconeExamples of penstemon in a Sentence
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Many of the region’s wildflowers, which include penstemons and pink-hued desert phlox, start blooming later in the spring; make an April or May trip for the best chances of seeing flowers during the season.
—Lyndsey Matthews, AFAR Media, 17 Mar. 2025
In the casual garden, roses contrast and pair wonderfully with the vertical showy spikes of foxgloves, penstemons, delphiniums, stock and snapdragons and the tiny, dainty flowers of alyssum, daisies and nemesia.
—Rita Perwich, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Feb. 2025
Plant –Sow cool-season natives like desert marigold and penstemon, which appreciate lower temperatures for germination.
—Kristin Guy, Sunset Magazine, 24 Sep. 2024
The Sutherland Trail offers the best assortment of flowers with poppies, cream cups, lupines, penstemon and desert chicory.
—Roger Naylor, The Arizona Republic, 24 Feb. 2024
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Lyndsey Matthews, AFAR Media, 17 Mar. 2025
In the casual garden, roses contrast and pair wonderfully with the vertical showy spikes of foxgloves, penstemons, delphiniums, stock and snapdragons and the tiny, dainty flowers of alyssum, daisies and nemesia.
—Rita Perwich, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Feb. 2025
Plant –Sow cool-season natives like desert marigold and penstemon, which appreciate lower temperatures for germination.
—Kristin Guy, Sunset Magazine, 24 Sep. 2024
The Sutherland Trail offers the best assortment of flowers with poppies, cream cups, lupines, penstemon and desert chicory.
—Roger Naylor, The Arizona Republic, 24 Feb. 2024
See All Example Sentences for penstemon
Cite this Entry
“Penstemon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/penstemon. Accessed 4 May. 2025.
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