Penstemon Rocky Mountain

Penstemon strictus

Packet contains 1/2 gram, approximately 520 seeds

Native to sage scrub or woodland communities in the foothills and mountains of the southern Rockies, this Penstemon provides food for a wide array of native bees and also attracts hummingbirds. The stunning purple/blue flower spikes resemble delicate snapdragons, and makes a great cut flower. The evergreen basal rosette of leaves turns from deep green to reddish in winter.

For additional resources, see: http://plants.usda.gov/plantguide/pdf/pg_pest2.pdf

Growing Information

Type: Evergreen perennial herb, clumping, spreads by stolons

Seed Depth: 1/8 inch. Barely rake seed into the surface of soil.

Height: 1-3 feet

Spacing: 1-3 feet

Light: Full sun to part shade

Water: Low, Drought tolerant

Soil: Well-drained, sandy, average. Not too rich.

pH: 6.8-7.2

USDA Zone: 3-6 (may be extended to zone 9)

When to sow: Direct sow 2-3 weeks before last frost, or up to 2 months before first frost. For transplants, sow 6-8 weeks before last frost, cold/moist stratify for best results: place seeds between moist paper towels inside a sealed plastic bag for 2-3 months at 40 degrees F. Divide clumps in early spring.

Optimal soil temp for germination: 55-60 deg F

Time to germination (after stratification): 15-30 days

Blooming period: Mid- to late-spring from 2 years after sowing. Dead-head to prolong bloom period, but leave some stalks for pollinators to enjoy.

Coverage: 1 ounce sows 500 square feet