Smalls's Penstemon is a native herbaceous perennial with purple stems bearing purple veined dark green foliage that turns bronze-red in winter. Small tubular purple flowers with purple stripes and white throats bloom in summer followed by seedpods.  Grows best in partial sun and dry to medium well-drained soil.  Drought tolerant.

Penstemon smallii is a host plant for the Common Buckeye butterfly, and provides nectar for other bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.  Birds and small mammals eat the seeds.