1875 Indian Valley Rd If youre looking for a high-impact, long-blooming perennial with low water requirements and amazing diversity, penstemon, or beardtongue, is a top contender. Native to the Southwest, it grows best in dry climates. Novato, CA 94948 It is a member of the flora in many local habitat types such as: hillsides, grasslands, chaparral, and open oak woodland and forest areas. Ive been using a clay bulb pot (large in diameter, but shallow) to germinate and grow on the Penstemon seedlings, and getting better results. More about the newsletter. Penstemon may be deciduous or evergreen perennials or subshrubs, with simple, narrow leaves and racemes or panicles of bell-shaped or funnel-shaped flowers in summer and early autumn Name status Correct Pay 5 for 3 issues plus added extra of gardening guide. Ideal for front of border or rockery situation. Hummingbirds and insects, especially bees, are attracted to the flowers, Tolerant of a variety of soils as long as drainage is good. Category Penstemon Tags Blue. Keep an eye out for slugs, snails, aphids, leaf and bud eelworm, gray mold, powdery mildew, and fungal leaf spot. Penstemon Catherine de la Mere bears pretty, lilac blue, tubular, flowers from June to September. Two popular selections include rosy pink Red Rocks and violet purple Pikes Peak Purple. Growing & using Foothill Penstemon. (Zones: 6-10; Height: 1 to 1 feet; Bloom time: May to June), Firecracker penstemon. The shape and color of the leaves vary depending on the cultivar. Foothill Penstemon is one of our favorite no-care plants. Photographs Jason Ingram Become an RHS Member today and save 25% on your first year, RHS Registered Charity no. Penstemon heterophyllus 'Electric Blue' Back to Previous Page Common Name: foothill penstemon Type: Herbaceous perennial Family: Plantaginaceae Zone: 6 to 10 Height: 1.00 to 1.50 feet Spread: 1.00 to 1.50 feet Bloom Time: May to July Bloom Description: Gentian blue Sun: Full sun Water: Dry to medium Maintenance: Low Flower: Showy Photo by Proven Winners. Penstemon heterophyllus 'Catherine de la Mare' | BBC Gardeners World The flowers may be shades of blue or purple to nearly magenta. The Royal Horticultural Society is the UKs leading gardening charity. May need a dry winter mulch in frost prone areas. Penstemons may be bothered by slugs or snails, and spider mites. Barely a foot tall, this petite clump-forming selection makes a big visual impact when massed in the garden or grown along walkways and borders. Red Riding Hood is just one of seven colors in the Dutch-bred Riding Hood series, which also includes blue, delft blue, hot pink, lavender, marble cream, and purple. Description. 222879 / SC038262, Join the RHS today and support our charity, Free entry to RHS members at selected Variety or Cultivar. If plants do survive, cut plants back to ground level in spring to promote fresh growth. Planting them in raised beds or sloped areas will help them survive wet conditions. We recommend watering the first year and then observing through the next spring and summer to see if plants are able to survive your area with no water like they do here. Your first 6 issues for just 9.99 Penstemon is a plant that is easy to grow and propagate, is not susceptible to pests and diseases and has brightly coloured flowers for months on end. Penstemon heterophyllus 'Electric Blue' Hardy Perennial FROM 17.99 60% (2 Reviews) Garden Club Members Price: FROM 16.19 JOIN TODAY Intensely blue flowers with a tinge of purple Long lasting blooms Enticing plenty of pollinating insects to your garden Delivery Information View Product Description Choose available pack sizes: Add To Basket In addition to offering a broad palette of colors, these native wildflowers and their many cultivars come in many shapes and sizes, from dwarf varieties you can tuck into rock gardens to waist-high prairie plants that bring color and movement to the back of the border. Long-lived, easy to grow, fuss-free, and deer resistant, Foothill Beardtongue is perfect for the sunny water-wise garden and looks dramatic planted in masses in a dry mixed border. Native to southern New Mexico and eastern Arizona. I usually use plastic nursery pots or flats to start seeds, but they keep the soil really moistand sometimes also soggy at the bottom;this may be detrimental to the early growth of the seedlings. The flower colour is predominantly blue, but overlaid with tints of pink and can occasionally be shades of purple and pink. Photo by: Frank Richards / Millette Photomedia. This plant is available commercially. The flowers attract hummingbirds and butterflies. The blooms are attractive to hummingbirds, butterflies, and other insect pollinators.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 means diversely leaved.Penstemons are sometimes commonly called beardtongues because the sterile stamen has a tuft of small hairs.Electric Blue features intense blue flowers that are typically a more uniform blue than the species. Ideal for front of border or rockery situation. It is very stable in coastal, desert or mountain plantings, if not overwatered, fertilized or otherwise abused. Pay 5 for 3 issues and receive our 2 for 1 Gardens guide PLUS access to Premium on GardenersWorld.com for FREE. Hybrids bred for garden conditions are not as drought tolerant as native species and may require watering during prolonged dry spells. Copyright 2023. Azure blue trumpet blooms in abundance, with green and grey tinged foliage. Dec 4, 2012 The flowers of this native penstemon are almost an electric blue, and very profuse. A woody Penstemon which forms a low mound absolutely smothered in flowers throughout summer. 2023. 'Catherine de la Mare' is a spreading, woody-based, semi-evergreen perennial to 50cm tall, with dull, bluish-green leaves and dense racemes of purplish-blue flowers 3cm long, borne on reddish stems in summer. Subscribe today. Penstemon: how to grow, plus 16 of the best varieties This plant will provide nectar and pollen for bees and the many other types of pollinating insects. Most penstemons are herbaceous perennials, but some hybrid strains are half-hardy and better suited for use as annual bedding plants. Inland and at higher elevations it also occurs in openings in foothill woodland or pine forest, Annual Precipitation: 7.6" - 99.6", Summer Precipitation: 0.14" - 2.57", Coldest Month: 28.9" - 55.0", Hottest Month: 54.3" - 78.4", Humidity: 0.29" - 28.30", Elevation: 30" - 6924", Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, PRISM Climate Group, Oregon State University. Not a shy bloomer, you'll get lots of those beautiful blooms much loved by hummers and butterflies. Although there are no serious threats, watch for root rot in poorly draining soils. In early summer, right after your spring bloomers have faded, they fill the garden with spires of foxglove-like flowers in hues ranging from soft pinks and lavenders to bold, fiery reds and electrifying blues. Penstemon heterophyllus 'Heavenly Blue' penstemon 'Heavenly Blue' a spreading, woody-based, semi-evergreen perennial to 50cm tall, with narrow, dull, bluish-green leaves. Plant the seed at a depth of to inch and keep the soil moist after planting for natural stratification to occur. There are so many good penstemons, with new ones coming onto the marketplace every year, that everywhere in North America, it is possible to grow at least one [type of] penstemon native to your area.. Pay 5 for 3 issues and receive our 2 for 1 Gardens guide PLUS access to Premium on GardenersWorld.com for FREE. Penstemons really are fantastic plants for any garden. Near the coast, open grassy places, typically on slopes where drainage is good, usually as part of chaparral vegetation. Euphorbia Delphinium Coneflower Find a Garden Center that carries Proven Winners plants & products. long (4 cm), in shimmering shades of blue, purple or pink. Penstemon Plant - Electric Blue | Suttons After flowering, shorten flowered stems by half (unless the seed is required) to promote more blooms. The range of flower colors cover the full penstemon spectrum. Join the RHS today and support our charitable work, The new app packed with trusted gardening know-how, RHS members get free access to RHS Gardens, Free entry to RHS members at selected times , Reduced prices on RHS Garden courses and workshops. It can tolerate average garden water, and most soils as long as the drainage isgood. [1] The plant can be found in all of the major coastal mountain ranges and the northern Sierra Nevada foothills. [web application]. For hummingbird lovers, they offer another important attribute. on a sunny day the blue is not as strong as on a cloudy day). Flowers late spring to early summer, growing to around 1 to 1 1/2 ft. tall and wide. PO Box 592 Mulch in the autumn in cold frosty areas and deadhead regularly to maintain a flowering show unless you want to collect the seed. Its also one of the longest-lived and one of the easiest to grow from seed. Blooming in spring and summer, the profuse blossoms are borne on upright, branching stems and rise well above the foliage of narrow, dark green leaves, 1-3 in. A compact form and mounded glossy green foliage make this a good choice for the front of the border, where you can better observe the constant influx of feathery feeders. Penstemons - Shire Plants Penstemon heterophyllus 'Electric Blue' Botanical details Family Plantaginaceae Native to the UK No Potentially harmful Genus Penstemon Genus description Penstemon may be deciduous or evergreen perennials or subshrubs, with simple, narrow leaves and racemes or panicles of bell-shaped or funnel-shaped flowers in summer and early autumn Name status Correct Advertise here PENSTEMON heterophyllus 'Catherine de la Mare' A very occasional email newsletter giving updates on the nursery, interesting plant information and special offers. Penstemon heterophyllus 'Electric Blue' Currently Unavailable Penstemon heterophyllus 'Electric Blue' Dazzling blue penstemon, which - if you like bright colours like I do - knocks the socks off any of the others with a pure, boiled sweet clarity. Penstemon heterophyllus needs full sun. (Zones: 4-9; Height: 10 to 12 inches; Bloom time: Late spring to midsummer), Mexicali penstemons are hybrids of Mexican species having large, showy flowers crossed with native North American species that exhibit good cold-tolerance. Penstemon Heavenly blue has no toxic effects reported. Dressed in purple from head to toe, this stunning hybrid flaunts lavender purple flowers rising on dark purple stems above full clumps of lush eggplant-purple foliage. Penstemon heterophyllus 'Zriblau' A clump-forming, rather short-lived, evergreen perennial to 50cm with narrow, bluish-green foliage. (Zones: 5-8; Height: 3 to 6 feet; Bloom time: Late spring), Loose spires of bright orange-red flowers and evergreen foliage that resembles tiny pine needles. Penstemon heterophyllus 'Margarita BOP' (Foothill Beardtongue) Sitemap.Web Design and Maintenance by Kahl Consultants. A purple blush at the base of each floral light bulb only enhances the brilliant display, as does the attractive narrow evergreen foliage. Don't miss it! With hundreds of varieties of this resilient native wildflower to choose from, there is a penstemon (beardtongue) ideal for almost any garden. Grows to a height of 45cm (18. . Penstemons are fabulous late-flowering border plants. It blooms in spring, and creates quite ashow in the garden when planted with California poppies and other spring wildflowers. Foliage of some species remains evergreen in mild climates. Apply a thick mulch of well-rotted manure or compost in autumn to protect the roots. Plants in this size pot establish quickly in the garden and often outpace plants in bigger pots planted at the same time. Yes, this really is a true blue Penstemon, true from seed! Most soil types are fine, including quite dry. RELATED: The Jepson Herbarium University of California, Berkeley Jepson Herbarium Home About About the Collections (Zones: 3-8; Height: 3 to 5 feet; Bloom time: May to June), A California native with glossy blue-green leaves and blue flowers on slender spikes. See penstemon cultivation, Divide in spring, or take softwood cuttings in early summer or semi-ripe cuttings in midsummer, Deadhead regularly, or after flowering shorten flowered stems by half, to encourage further flowering. The name is derived from the Greek words penta and stemon, referring to the flowers five stamens, four of which are fertile and one sterile. Penstemon heterophyllus 'Blue Springs' | California Flora Nursery FREE WEEKLY NEWSLETTER: Plants, Design Ideas, Gardening Solutions & More! Although many are native to arid regions of the West and Southwest, almost every state in the continental U.S. has at least one native penstemon, demonstrating the amazing range of climates to which they are suited. Although not as drought tolerant as cactus, many species do grow well in desert-like climates. Dark Towers also seems to retain its color better in summer. Penstemons produce foxglove-like flowers, which look fantastic in informal and cottage garden schemes, and are extremely attractive to bumblebees. [2][3][4] It is a nectar source for (native) birds and butterflies.[4]. Join the RHS today and support our charitable work, The new app packed with trusted gardening know-how, RHS members get free access to RHS Gardens, Free entry to RHS members at selected times , Reduced prices on RHS Garden courses and workshops. For seed sources, visit the American Penstemon Society, which offers an online seed exchange program for members as well as a list of seed companies. 16 beautiful penstemon varieties for your planting scheme Within two months or soafter germination, the seedlings will be large enough to transplant to individual pots. Resistant to both drought and heat and will thrive on dry rocky slopes and hillsides. The most common flower colors are shades of blue, purple, pink, white and red, some with distinctive veining and white throats. Foothill Penstemon, Penstemon heterophyllus - Calscape Penstemon heterophyllus 'Catherine de la Mare' Penstemons really are fantastic plants for any garden. Can be used as an annual that flowers in its first year. It is endemic to California. Penstemon heterophyllus 'Margarita Bop'. 'Catherine de la Mare' is a stunning shrubby perennial. Penstemon heterophyllus 'Blue Springs' "Foothill Penstemon" Truly luminous, almost turquoise blooms, 6-12" tall, will make this one of your favorite California natives. Join now and start creating your dream garden! While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The flowers attract hummingbirds and butterflies. Penstemon heterophyllus 'Heavenly Blue' - Shire Plants Penstemon heterophyllus 'Margarita Bop' - greenjjam nurseries The flower colour is predominantly blue, but overlaid with tints of pink and can occasionally be shades of purple and pink. Photo by: InfoFlowersPlants / Shutterstock. The leaves are variable in shape and may reach nearly 10 centimeters long. Proven Winners Perennials How to Pick the Perfect Penstemon With hundreds of varieties of this resilient native wildflower to choose from, there is a penstemon (beardtongue) ideal for almost any garden. The seed is smallbut needs no pre-germination treatment when sown outside in early fall. Penstemon heterophyllus 'Electric Blue'. Related to foxgloves and snapdragons, a kinship evident in the vertical flower spikes and the flared, tubular blooms, which are perfect feeding stations for hummingbirds. Height x Spread: 45cm x 60cm. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources. Also, poor soil tends to bring out a deeper blue in the flower than very rich soil. Deadheading will also prolong flowering, but be sure to leave a few seed heads on the stalks toward the end of the season so your plants can reseed. Narrow, lance-shaped to linear, medium green stem leaves (to 2-4 long). The Garden wouldn't be the Garden without our Members, Donors and Volunteers. All our plants are supplied in 9x10cm pots unless otherwise specified. All Rights Reserved. [1], Penstemon heterophyllus is a perennial herb producing upright, branching stems easily exceeding one meter in height and becoming woody at the bases. It's ideal for growing at the front of a sunny border, or in pots on the patio. Penstemon heterophyllus 'Catherine de la Mere' AGM Lilac blue, tubular, flowers, June to September. Plant this small perennial close tothe front of the border. To create additional collections, you must be a paid member of our site. Plantsman John Hoyland is your guide to this adaptable plant, and recommends 16 of his favourite varieties to grow. This plant may not be reliably winter hardy in the St. Louis area where it should be planted in a protected location. Sign up for weekly gardening inspiration and design tips. As an added bonus, the flowers hold up well in bouquets. Penstemon heterophyllus 'True Blue' produces true blue trumpet blooms. This can be done by taking softwood cuttings of nonflowering shoots in mid to late summer or by dividing plants in late winter or early spring. (Zones 5-9; Height: 12 to 18 inches; Bloom time: Early to late summer), Native to Wyoming, Utah and western Colorado, this blue-flowered species thrives in rocky or gravelly soil but adapts well to soils in many parts of the country. It generally takes a year or two before seed-grown plants begin to bloom. Grows up to 3-5 ft. tall (90-150 cm) and 4-5 ft. wide (120-150 cm). To use the website as intended please Some species are under 10 inches tall, while others can grow up to 6 feet. Penstemon Heavenly blue is known for attracting bees. It is endemic to California. Until 31 May, save 10% on your garden shopping with 10 of our trusted online partners. Note the nice reddish color on the healthy young stems. Buy Penstemon Plants Online | Online Shop | Proctors Nursery Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. 707-787-8821, Home Ground Habitats Nursery The Penstemon Plant - Electric Blue is a truly magnificent plant producing fantastic intense electric blue flowers. Border hybrids, which grow to between 60 and 80cm and are very colourful, and species Penstemons which are usually lower growing with smaller flowers. The amount of water youll need to give them will often depend on the water-holding capacity of your soil and the origin of the varieties you have chosen. A California native, Electric Blue is tolerant of drought and coastal climates. Our Story: Friends of Home Ground Habitats. The main difference is that Mysticas bronzy red foliage is longer lasting and stays attractive until frost, with the leaves turning an even richer red in fall and often persisting into early winter. Starts flowering May/June. It is a clump-forming perennial that features loose terminal racemes of gentain blue, tubular flowers (to 1.5 long) atop erect spreading stems to 18 tall. It is used as a flowering perennial for traditional flower beds, and in native plant, drought-tolerant, and habitat gardens and public landscapes. Penstemon heterophyllus is a perennial herb that is native to California, and endemic (limited) to California. BBC - Gardening: Plant Finder - Penstemon If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas. It is endemic to California, where it can be found in all of the major coastal mountain ranges and the northern Sierra Nevada foothills. It grows in clay or decomposed granite, always on slopes. Penstemon heterophyllus | foothill penstemon /RHS Gardening Not only does this ensure that they put out quality blooms, but it also prevents them from flopping and reduces the risk of the plant developing powdery mildew on the leaves, especially in humid summers. Light Penstemon plants need full sunlight to perform their best. On top of that, they flower for months on end, right into autumn when many other plants have given up for the winter. Calling out for attention, Penstemon heterophyllus 'Margarita BOP' (Foothill Beardtongue) is a clump-forming evergreen perennial boasting a spectacular display of wide-mouthed, tubular violet-blue flowers eventually aging to reddish-purple. Penstemon Heterophyllus SLO Botanical Garden Plants may be cut back after flowering to improve appearance of the planting. Penstemon heterophyllus 'True Blue' Hardy Perennial Flowers Summer Penstemons do best in well-drained, slightly alkaline soil and will even grow . Also try P. mexicali Pikes Peak Purple, a companion hybrid with short spikes of grape-colored flowers. Penstemon heterophyllus Latin name Beard Tongue Common name. Many penstemon varieties are hardy in all but the harshest winters, but do move plants under cover or take summer cuttings if you want to make sure your plants will last through winter.