|
The Colorado native garden landscape would not be complete without penstemon. Commonly called beardtongue because of the fuzzy "beard" in the throat of the flowers, native varieties of penstemon abound and even non-native varieties can survive and thrive in the xeriscape. Penstemon is a water-wise perennial that comes in a variety of colors, sizes and habits, but typically blooms in June and July with cone-shaped flowers on long spikes. While native colors tend to stick to whites, blues, reds and pinks, selections can provide a range of color from salmon to yellow.
One of the most drought-hardy perennials that grow in this area, penstemon can actually die if it is over-watered. With this season's dry weather, that sounds like a gardener's dream come true! So while penstemon requires well-drained and aerated soil, it performs best in drier soil that is lower in organic matter and can take even the blistering afternoon sun. An added bonus is that penstemons attract hummingbirds and repel rabbits.
The most common native variety is Penstemon strictus, Rocky Mountain penstemon. Its intense blue flowers and long stalks are stunning for a month in late spring. Other Colorado natives by maximum altitude include: to 6,500 feet, Penstemon ambiguous (bush or sand penstemon), to 7,500 feet, Penstemon angustifolius (pagoda or narrow- leaved penstemon), to 8,500 feet, Penstemon grandiflorus (shell leaf penstemon), to 9,000 feet, Penstemon barbatus (scarlet bugler penstemon), Penstemon caespitosus (mat penstemon), Penstemon glaber (smooth penstemon), above 9,500 feet, Penstemon secundiflorus (sidebells penstemon), Penstemon virens (bluemist penstemon), Penstemon virgatus (wand bloom penstemon), and Penstemon whippleanus (Whipple's penstemon). These native varieties survive well at altitude and Whipple's penstemon even survives up to 12,000 feet!
For those who love foxglove but don't want to water it, try Penstemon palmeri (Pink wild snapdragon), one of the few scented penstemons, or Penstemon x mexicali "Red Rocks," a Plant Select® plant, for a similar bloom that can live without the water. Likewise, Penstemon cardinalis, with its deep red flowers, resembles some of the less-hardy red salvias and still shares the general character, attractiveness to hummingbirds, and rabbit repelling properties of the salvia.
Another showy variety, which is a hybrid of a Colorado native, is penstemon barbatus "Elfin Pink," although this variety requires slightly more water and compost than some of the hardier varieties.
In a more compact space, Penstemon pinifolius (pine-leaf penstemon) still dazzles. In colors of red and yellow, their foliage is dainty and resembles pine needles as the name suggests. Blooms are more tubular and despite their small size, the hummingbirds still love it! Try this petite variety in the rock garden.
Penstemons fit right into the wildflower bed planted with native grasses, columbine, liatris, flax, sages and poppy mallow. However, don't rule them out as a border plant in a perennial bed as long as they are planted with other drought-tolerant full-sun plants. They are also a specimen plant for a hummingbird garden or a plot featuring native plants.
Make room in your garden for beautiful beardtongue for a touch of the wild beauty of native Colorado right in your back yard.
For more information about penstemon and other Colorado native plants, visit www.ext.colostate.edu, click on Horticulture and then Fact Sheet 7.242. Information on Plant Select plants is also available at that site, or call the Colorado State University Extension office in your county.
|
