Penstemon pinifolius, the pine-leaved penstemon or pine-needle beardtongue,[1] is a species of flowering plant in the plantain family Plantaginaceae, native to the southwestern USA.
Growing to 20cm (10inches) 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[2] are a clue to its preferences in cultivation. Though moderately hardy to -10C it requires an extremely well-drained, sunny position with some protection from hard frosts in winter.
The species[3] and the cultivar 'Wisley Flame' [4] have both gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit. 'Mersea Yellow' is another notable cultivar, with brilliant lemon-yellow flowers.[2]