Scientific Name
Penstemon palmeri A. Gray
Common Name(s)
Palmer's Penstemon
Synonym(s)
Penstemon palmeri var. palmeri
Scientific Classification
Family: Plantaginaceae
Tribe: Cheloneae
Genus: Penstemon
Flower
Color: Pink to violet to blue-purple
Bloom Time: Late spring to early summer
Description
Penstemon palmeri is an erect perennial plant that grows up to 6.6 feet (2 m) tall. Leaves are generally oppositely arranged and have toothed margins. The inflorescence is a panicle or raceme with small bracts. Flowers have a five-lobed calyx of sepals and a cylindrical corolla, which may have an expanded throat. The staminode is partially hairy. The showy, rounded flower has large pink to violet or blue-purple petals.
Hardiness
USDA hardiness zone 4a to 9b: from −30 °F (−34.4 °C) to 30 °F (−1.1 °C).
How to Grow and Care
The best location for this plant is in a full sun area with well-draining soil. Penstemon care and maintenance are minimal if the site and moisture requirements are met. However, poorly draining soils and freezing temperatures while the plant is still active are the biggest causes of plant mortality.
The perennial is remarkably tolerant of drought conditions and is a stalwart presence in even low nutrient soils. It has had to be adaptable to thrive in windy, exposed areas of mountain foothills.
You can grow Penstemon from seed. They begin as rosettes low to the ground before forming the characteristic flower stalk. Indoor sowing should begin in late winter. Seedlings are ready to transplant when they have a second set of true leaves. Space plants 1 to 3 feet apart and mix in a bit of compost at planting time to help conserve water and increase porosity.
Water the young plants at least once per week as they establish. You can reduce watering as the plant matures. Mulch around the plants to help protect the roots from winter's cold and prevent spring weeds.
See more at How to Grow and Care for Penstemon.
Origin
This species is native to desert mountains from the eastern Mojave Desert in California to east Nevada, northeastern Arizona, New Mexico, and north through Utah, Colorado, Wyoming, Idaho, and eastern Washington.
Links
- Back to genus Penstemon
- Plantpedia: Browse flowering plants by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, or Origin
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