Botanical name: Penstemon eatonii
Common name: Firecracker penstemon
Origin: Native to arid regions of the American Southwest
USDA zones: 5 to 9 (find your zone)
Water requirement: Low
Light requirement: Full sun
Mature size: 1 to 2 feet wide and 2 feet tall when in flower
Benefits and tolerances: Drought tolerant but does best with supplemental watering; attracts hummingbirds
Seasonal interest: Orange-red flowers appear in winter and continue through late spring; in cooler climates it will bloom during the summer.
When to plant: Plant seeds or container plants in fall.

Distinguishing traits. Plant firecracker penstemon and you'll have stunning flowers, winter color and versatility with little maintenance.

Who wouldn't want to add a perennial that provides much-needed color to a winter landscape? Especially when there is not much else in bloom. Another bonus is that the vibrant orange-red flowers will last through spring. In cooler climates flowers appear during the warm months of summer.

Don't let this colorful perennial's delicate appearance fool you; it isn't fussy. It needs no fertilizer and requires pruning only once a year to remove spent flowering spikes.

Planting notes. Penstemon can be easily grown from seed or purchased from the nursery in a container. Be sure to plant it in well-drained soil. Water established plants once a week in the summer and every other week during cooler months.