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Penstemon palmeri

Pink Wild Snapdragon

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
Evergreen
Light Requirements
Full Sun
Annual Rainfall
Less than 10" (with irrigation)
10 to 20"
20 to 30"
Mature Height4-5' tall
Mature Spread24" wide
Bloom TimeSummer
ShippingNo longer available this season. Learn More…
SizeNo
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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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
Common Name
Pink Wild Snapdragon
Botanical Name
Penstemon palmeri
Zones
4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Light Requirements
Full Sun
Mature Height
4-5' tall
Mature Spread
24" wide
Bloom Time
Summer
Ships As
Potted Plant
Evergreen Foliage
Yes
Soil Type
Sandy Soil
Soil Moisture
Very Drought Resistant / Very Waterwise
Amount Of Rain
Less than 10" (with irrigation), 10 to 20", 20 to 30"
Advantages
Attract Hummingbirds, Deer Resistant, Rabbit Resistant, Native, Fragrant, Evergreen
Awards
Utah's Choice
Ideal Region
West, Western Only, Southwest, Hot Desert
Planting Time
Spring / Summer, Fall
Native To
North America
Item Unit Of Measure
Plant
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.
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