code: 953
deep pink trumpet flowers from early to mid-summer
Family: Scrophulariaceae
Plant Classification: Hardy perennial
Minimum Height: 30 cm
Maximum Height: 45 cm
Very hardy evergreen clumps produce long tapering stems of red and deep pink trumpet flowers from early to mid-summer. Cut back heavily in early spring for a long season of bloom.
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:
Some Native American tribes used penstemons as medicinal remedies for humans and animals. Today its primary use is ornamental.
Culture
Easily grown in average, dry to medium, well-drained soils in full sun. Plants have excellent tolerance for drought. Avoid wet, poorly-drained soils. Remove spent flowering racemes to prolong bloom. Plants may be cut back to basal foliage after flowering to improve appearance of the planting.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Penstemon campanulatus, commonly known as penstemon, is a compact, evergreen to semi-evergreen perennial or sub-shrub that typically grows to 12-24” tall and to 18” wide. It is native to Mexico. Two-lipped, bell-shaped, purple-pink to violet flowers (to 1” long) in spikes bloom summer to first frost (sometimes year round in the native habitat) on erect wiry stems clad with narrow, serrate, lanceolate, dark green leaves (to 4” long).
This species is a parent of a number of hybrids, often referred to as campanulatus hybrids, which are commonly sold in a variety of different flower colors.
Genus name comes from the Greek words penta meaning five and stemon meaning stamen in reference to each flower having five stamens (four are fertile and one is sterile).
Specific epithet comes from the Latin word campana meaning bell in reference to flower shape.
Penstemons are sometimes commonly called beardtongues because the sterile stamen (technically a bearded staminode) has a tuft of small hairs.
Information:
Spread: 1.00 to 1.50 feet
Bloom Time: June to October
Bloom Description: Purple-pink to violet
Sun: Full sun
Water: Dry to medium
Maintenance: Low
Flower: Showy
Attracts: Butterflies
Tolerate: Deer, Drought, Clay Soil, Dry Soil
