Side-by-side plant comparison — which is right for your garden?
Penstemon digitalis
Plantaginaceae · flowers
Nymphaea spp.
Nymphaeaceae · aquatic
Penstemon (Zones 3-8)
Water Lily (Zones 3-11)
Overlap: Both grow in zones 3–8
| Feature | Penstemon | Water Lily |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Penstemon digitalis | Nymphaea spp. |
| Family | Plantaginaceae | Nymphaeaceae |
| Category | flowers | aquatic |
| Sun | ☀️ Full Sun | ☀️ Full Sun |
| Water | 💧 Low | 💧 Aquatic |
| Soil | Well-drained | Pond/Water garden |
| Height | 3' | 6" |
| Spread | 1' 6" | 4' |
| Bloom Season | Early Summer | Summer |
| Bloom Color | White, Pink, Purple | White, Pink, Yellow, Red |
| Growth Rate | Medium | Medium |
| Native Region | North America | Worldwide |
| Maintenance | Low | Medium |
Penstemon
Water Lily
Penstemon
Water Lily
Choose Penstemon if you want a low-maintenance plant, need drought tolerance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun with low water in zones 3–8.
Choose Water Lily if you don't mind medium maintenance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun with aquatic water in zones 3–11.
Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 3–8. They share similar sun requirements (full sun), making them potential garden companions.
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