GMR White Foothill Penstemon

GMR White Foothill Penstemon (Penstemon heterophyllus 'GMR White') is a beautiful and locally selected California native perennial that charms with elegant creamy buds that open to pure, clean white bell-shaped flowers on upright, slender stems above narrow, semi-evergreen foliage. A refined white form of the beloved Foothill Penstemon native to the California coastal ranges and foothills, this variety brings native garden elegance, ecological value, and exceptional drought tolerance together in one outstanding, low-maintenance plant.

Grown from professional-grade nursery stock, GMR White Foothill Penstemon arrives with a strong, well-established root system ready to thrive in the lean, well-drained soils and dry summer conditions of California and Mediterranean-climate gardens. Its slender, upright habit and pristine white flowers make it a refined and versatile addition to native plantings, cottage borders, rock gardens, and wildlife-friendly landscapes across a wide range of western garden conditions.

• Elegant Creamy-to-White Native Blooms: Creamy buds open to pristine white bell-shaped flowers carried on slender, upright stems, creating an airy, refined floral display that pairs beautifully with California native companions including salvias, buckwheats, and ornamental grasses.
• True California Native Heritage: A locally selected form of Penstemon heterophyllus native to the California foothills and coastal ranges, GMR White is ecologically authentic, supporting native bees, hummingbirds, and other wildlife dependent on native plant communities.
• Exceptional Drought Tolerance: Perfectly adapted to California's dry summer conditions, GMR White Foothill Penstemon thrives with little to no supplemental summer irrigation once established, making it a cornerstone plant for water-wise, low-water, and California-native garden designs.
• Hummingbird & Native Bee Magnet: The tubular white bell flowers are highly attractive to hummingbirds and native bees throughout the bloom season, providing critical nectar resources for wildlife in both garden and naturalistic landscape settings.
• Professional Grade Root System: This plant arrives with a healthy, well-developed root system that establishes readily in lean, well-drained soils and thrives with the minimal water and care typical of California native garden management.

This 4" healthy live plant thrives in full sun with excellent drainage and very low supplemental water once established — it is critical to avoid summer overwatering, as GMR White Foothill Penstemon is adapted to California's naturally dry summer cycle and is highly susceptible to root rot in consistently moist summer soils. A cold-hardy California native perennial suited to USDA Hardiness Zones 7–10, it is best adapted to western gardens with Mediterranean climates. Mature height reaches 18–24 inches with a spread of 18–24 inches. Primary bloom time runs from late spring to early summer (May–July). Cut back lightly after blooming to encourage a tidy habit and potential rebloom.