code: 954
This is a lovely bright form of this species
Family: Scrophulariaceae
Common name: Penstemon hirsutus ‘Blue Foam’
Plant Classification: Hardy perennial
Minimum Height: 37.5 cm
Maximum Height: 45 cm
This is a lovely bright form of this species from the mountainous western states of the USA, where it decorates the hillsides with compact clumps of white-throated, pale purple, tubular flowers in spring and early summer.
Sowing advice:
For best results, sow seeds immediately onto a good soil-based compost. Cover the seeds with fine grit or compost to approximately their own depth. They can be sown at any time, and germination can sometimes be quicker if kept at 15 to 20 degrees C. However, we sow most seeds in an unheated greenhouse and wait for natural germination as many seeds have built-in dormancy mechanisms, and often wait for spring before emerging regardless of when they are sown. But spring sowing will obviously give them a full season of growth if successful germination occurs.
Uses:
Blue penstemon is suited for use in restoration and wildlife enhancement plantings. It is not noted for having value as forage for livestock, and forage use is limited by big game. The fibrous root system and wide canopy cover make it a good plant for low-water use landscaping (i.e. roadsides) and other ornamental plantings. Blue penstemon’s large showy flowers attract pollinators and other insects which provide a food source for birds and other animals. Blue penstemon is known to attract several species of native pollinators including bumble bees (Bombus spp.), mason bees (Osmia spp.)
Distribution:
Blue penstemon occurs naturally throughout most of Idaho and in northwestern Wyoming and southwestern Montana. For current distribution, please consult the Plant Profile page for this species on the PLANTS Web site.
Habitat:
This species grows in open dry areas on sagebrush slopes at moderate elevations and in higher plains (Davis, 1952). Adaptation Blue penstemon is adapted to well-drained, coarse soils in areas receiving 40 to 65 cm (16 to 25 in) of annual precipitation (University of Wyoming, 2011). Because blue penstemon is found in regions with long winter snowpack, the seed is highly dormant. Chilling periods of less than 24 weeks have little response in overcoming seed dormancy (Meyer and Kitchen 1994).
