Similar to P. centranthifolius in growth and appearance  Firecracker penstemon boasts beautiful red blooms on elegant long stalks up to 4? tall in spring and early summer.  It is a heat tolerant penstemon  suitable for desert gardens  yet can also tolerate shade better than most other penstemons.  Firecracker penstemon is a magnet for wildlife since hummingbirds and butterflies are notoriously fond of tubular  red flowers.  Finding a place in the garden to tuck this little beauty shouldn?t be hard at all?it grows to a neat 1? to 3? tall and wide bush with attractive lance shaped green leaves  and prefers soil with good drainage. A sprinkling of water a few times a month in the hottest parts of summer will help this tough CA native look its best.