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Palmer's Penstemon

Palmer's Beardtongue blooms in early summer with tall spikes of fragrant, light pink flowers in early summer. Very xeric and heat tolerant, it is a willing reseeder for use in colonizing harsh sites. Drought resistant/drought tolerant plant (xeric).
Zones4 - 9
Advantages
Attract Hummingbirds
Deer Resistant
Rabbit Resistant
Native
Fragrant Flower / Foliage
Evergreen
Light Requirements
Full Sun
Water Tolerance
Xeric
Mature Height 4-5' tall
Mature Plant Size24" wide
Bloom TimeSummer
Shipping summary textShipping begins the week of March 8th, 2021 Learn More…
SKUHC016187

USDA Hardiness Planting Zones

To determine if a plant is sufficiently cold hardy, the USDA created numbered zones indicating winter low temperatures; the lower the zone number the colder the winter.

  • If the coldest winter temperature expected in your area is -15°F (zone 5) then any plants rated zones 3-5 will survive the winter temperatures in your area.
  • If you live in very warm winter areas (zones 9-11) plants with zones 3-4 ratings are not recommended. The lack of freezing winter temperatures do not provide a time for winter dormancy (rest).

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SKU
HC016187
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Details
4-5' tall x 24" wide (seed propagated). This is a very heat tolerant beardtongue, native to NM and AZ. One of the few fragrant Penstemons, it blooms with gigantic spikes of large, light pink flowers in early summer. Distinctive gray foliage. Must be grown in sandy or gravelly soils, not in tight clay. Not suited to areas receiving more than 15-18" of rainfall annually!
More Information
Associated SKUsHC016187
HC014202 (Plant - 2.5" Pot)
HC014203 (Plant - 5" Deep Pot) - Out of stock.
HC017289 (Tray of 9)
Common Name
Palmer's Beardtongue
Botanical Name
Penstemon palmeri
Zones
4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Light Requirements
Full Sun
Flower Color
Pink
Mature Height
4-5' tall
Mature Plant Size
24" wide
Bloom Time
Summer
Ships As
Potted Plant
Evergreen Foliage
Yes
Soil Type
Sandy Soil
Soil Moisture
Very Waterwise
Advantages
Attract Hummingbirds, Deer Resistant, Rabbit Resistant, Native, Fragrant Flower / Foliage, Evergreen
Awards
Utah's Choice
Ideal Region
West, Western Only, Southwest, Hot Desert
Planting Time
Spring / Summer, Fall
Neonicotinoid Free
Yes - Learn More
Native To
North America
Ships To Canada
No
Planting Guides

Tips for growing Penstemon (Beardtongue)

Penstemon are generally evergreen and have beautiful flowers that are very attractive to hummingbirds. Most varieties are rabbit resistant.

  1. They need “elbow room,” maximum sun, heat and don’t like to be crowded by other plants.
  2. Plant only in well-drained soils; clay soils and Penstemon are incompatible.
  3. Avoid overly enriched soils; too much compost and fertilizer will shorten their lifespan.
  4. They establish quickly and the amount and frequency of watering needs to be reduced after about 8 to 10 weeks to create dry conditions.
  5. When using drip irrigation, be sure to put the emitter off to the side of the plant, not right on top of the root ball to avoid overwatering the plant.
  6. Plant high, leaving the top of the rootball just above the surrounding soil to avoid burying the crown of the plant.
  7. Mulch with gravel or pine needles in arid climates. No mulch is needed where conditions are moister. Always avoid bark, grass clippings, or compost as mulch materials.
  8. Allow some of the plants to set seed (don't deadhead all of the flower spikes)*.
  9. Fertilize sparingly. One time each year in the fall is enough. Apply a light application of an organic or natural fertilizer such as Yum Yum Mix as a top dressing around the plants. Don't use high nitrogen water soluble fertilizer like Miracle Gro

*To keep penstemon that have finely textured or matted evergreen foliage looking their best, you'll want to 'deadhead" them. Shear off the fading flowering spikes just as the plant is going out of flower. Gently bunch the flower spikes together with one hand and cut them off at the point where they go down into the mat of foliage with your clipper in your other hand. Recommended for the following varieties: P. pinifolius types (‘Compactum', ‘Mersea Yellow', ‘Nearly Red', ‘Magdalena Sunshine' and ‘Tall Orange Mix'), as well as Penstemon linarioides v. coloradensis and Penstemon virens ('Blue Lips').

More in-depth guidance for growing Penstemon: Watch our video: How To Plant Penstemon or read articles: Growing Penstemon, Penstemon for the Waterwise Garden, David’s Favorite Plants: Pineleaf Beardtongue, The Beardtongue Family: Penstemania for Penstemon and The Genus Penstemon: The Royalty of American Wildflowers The Genus Penstemon: The Royalty of American Wildflowers (Part 2).

View more Planting Guides, or download our complete Planting Guide for tips on caring for your plants when you receive your order, as well as planting instructions for Perennials, Spring-Planted Bulbs, Fall-Planted Bulbs, Cacti & Succulents, Xeric Plants and more.
Shipping
ZoneShipping Status
Zone 2Shipping begins the week of May 17th, 2021
Zone 3Shipping begins the week of May 17th, 2021
Zone 4Shipping begins the week of May 17th, 2021
Zone 5Shipping begins the week of May 3rd, 2021
Zone 6Shipping begins the week of April 19th, 2021
Zone 7Shipping begins the week of March 29th, 2021
Zone 8Shipping begins the week of March 15th, 2021
Zone 9Shipping begins the week of March 8th, 2021
Zone 10Shipping begins the week of March 8th, 2021

As soon as your order is placed you will receive a confirmation email. You will receive a second email the day your order ships telling you how it has been sent. Some perennials are shipped as potted plants, some as perennial roots packed in peat.  The ‘Plant Information’ section describes how that item will ship. All perennials and spring-planted bulbs are packaged to withstand shipping and are fully-guaranteed. Please open upon receipt and follow the instructions included.

Perennials and spring-planted bulbs are shipped at the proper planting time for your hardiness zone. Perennial and spring-planted bulb orders will arrive separately from seeds. If your order requires more than one shipment and all items are shipping to the same address, there is no additional shipping charge. See our shipping information page for approximate ship dates and more detailed information. If you have any questions, please call Customer Service toll-free at (800) 925-9387 or contact us by email.

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