GV?Gardeners: Spring brings brilliant penstemon

Whether out in the desert, along roadsides, or in our neighborhoods, the penstemons are hard to miss.

This showy perennial is producing clusters of brilliant pink, red, coral and magenta tubular blossoms on stalks up to four feet high. The rash of bright color can be spectacular when viewed in masses.

The western penstemon is considered a self-seeding wildflower, but is also widely hybridized and commercially available in the form of transplants or seeds. It is also called “Beardtongue,” because of its unique bearded stamin found in most species.

In springtime, the reliable Parry (Penstemon parryii) is sporting a profusion of rose-to-magenta flowers atop 3-4 foot stems. Also common in desert washes, they are pollinated primarily by hummingbirds.

This native grows a base rosette of blue-green leaves the first year after planting. The following year, the tall flower spikes will emerge.

Another spring bloomer is the Desert Penstemon (P. pseudo-spectabilis). Also called canyon penstemon, its rose-pink to purple flowers continue through May. The leaves of this plant have sharp teeth along the margins.

The Firecracker Penstemon (P. Eatonii) blooms from late winter into summer. Another native, its flowers are flashy scarlet, longer and narrower than those above. Its bright green foliage adds a softness to the landscape all year round.

A short-lived plant, the Superb Penstemon (P. superbus) provides deep red to scarlet flowers in spring to early summer. Under ideal conditions, it has a profusion of dense flower stalks loaded with bloom.

Rock penstemon (P. baccharifolius) has slender red flowers held high above deeply-serrated basal leaves during the summer. This is a local favorite for the garden during our hot, dry summers.

When thinking about planting penstemons, plan plenty of room. They do not like to be crowded, and grow better with lots of space. Planting can be done in autumn or spring, by transplants or seed. Many times native wildflower mixes contain some penstemon seed. Plant in full sun or light shade. Too much shade can cause weakened, sprawly growth and sparse flowers.

This is a plant family that thrives on low maintenance. Spent flower stalks can be pruned anytime, which may encourage repeat blooming. Waiting until seed disperses though, will produce more seedlings. Be careful to not over-fertilize which can produce excessive leaf growth and inhibit bloom.

Water every month or two during growing season; relying on rainfall during the winter. Over-watering in summer can cause sudden death. Penstemons are otherwise not susceptible to pests or disease.

In the garden, penstemons are stunning planted with Mexican gold poppy, desert bluebells, verbena, and desert marigolds. Not only lovely in the garden, they also make great cut flowers. In a properly tended floral arrangement, penstemon flowers will last ten days or longer.

Though some penstemon species are short-lived, all freely drop seed which produce a new generation of volunteers. Very often the strongest, best blooming native plants are those that have “planted themselves” in our gardens. Every garden should have at least one beautiful, brightly colored penstemon to help welcome spring!

Mary Kidnocker is a Master Gardener who writes frequently about the subject from a local perspective. Her columns appear Sundays. She is president of The Green Valley Gardeners.