Penstemon (Beardtongue)

Penstemon ambiguus (Bush Penstemon)

30 (50)cm, Bush Penstemon is a dwarf shrublike perennial with densely arranged, semi-woody stems with numerous, small, light lilac blue, almost completely flat flowers. It is native of Arizona, Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, Utah (USA), and in Mexico. For any rich, very well drained, slightly rocky or sandy soil in full sun. Excellent in the rock garden. VI-VII.

Penstemon angustifolius (Pagoda Beardtongue)

20 (40)cm, Pagoda Beardtongue is a perennial with upright stems with showy, quite large, sky blue to lavender, trumpet shaped flowers. It is native of sandy to rocky soils in E Montana to N New Mexico (USA). For any rich, very well drained, slightly rocky or sandy soil in full sun. Excellent in the rock garden. VI-VII.

Penstemon auriberbis (Colorado Beardtongue)

20 (30)cm, Colorado Beardtongue makes a perennial a basal leaf rosette and upright stems with showy, quite large, pale pink, trumpet shaped flowers. It is native of sandy to rocky soils in Colorado (USA). For any rich, very well drained, slightly rocky or sandy soil in full sun. Excellent in the rock garden. VI-VII.

Penstemon baccharifolius (Baccharis-Leaf Penstemon)

20 (30)cm, Baccharis-Leaf Penstemon has showy deep red flower tubes above oblong leaves. Native of rock walls in Texas. Seeds from a certified wild collection in Edwards County, Texas, USA at some 750m. For any rich, well drained soil in a sunny spot. Excellent in a protected spot in the rock garden. VI-VIII.

Penstemon barrettiae (Barrett's Beardtongue)

15cm, Barrett's Beardtongue is a small cushion forming species with rosy-lavender flowers above leathery bluish-gray leaves. Seeds from a certified wild collection in Klickitat County, Washington, USA at some 100m. For any rich, well drained soil in a sunny spot. Excellent in a protected spot in the rock garden. VI-VIII.

Penstemon brandegeei (Brandegee's Penstemon)

15cm, Brandegee's Penstemon has showy large blue flowers. Seeds from a certified wild collection in Las Animas County, Colorado, USA at some 2.250m. For any rich, well drained soil in a sunny spot. Excellent in a protected spot in the rock garden. VI-VIII.

Penstemon caesius (San Bernardino Beardtongue)

25 (35)cm, San Bernardino Beardtongue has showy bluish-green leaves and rich bluish-purple flowers. Seeds from a certified wild collection in Tulare County, California, USA at some 2.750m. For any rich, well drained soil in a sunny spot. VI-VIII.

Penstemon calycosus (Calico Beardtongue)

40 (70)cm, Calico Beardtongue makes lavender blue trumpet flowers in tall terminal racemes. This species is native to sunny spots in open woodlands and moist meadows in the eastern US. It is easily grown in any rich, well drained. slightly moist soil in a sunny to partially shaded spot. V-VI.

Penstemon cardinalis (Cardinal Beardtongue)

50cm, Cardinal Beardtongue an utmost ornamental species with bright scarlet flower tubes on a tall raceme above mid green leaves. From the White Mountains of New Mexico County. Seeds from a certified wild collection in Lincoln County, New Mexico, USA at some 2.350m. For any rich, well drained soil in a sunny spot. VI-VIII.

Penstemon cardwellii (Cardwell's Beardtongue)

Penstemon cobaea (Showy Beardtongue)

25 (50)cm, Showy Beardtongue makes showy intense violet to pale rose-purple flowers in dense terminal racemes above glossy, serrated leaves. This short-lived perennial is native of sunny meadows in the central and southern states of the USA (Oklahoma, Kansas, Texas, and Nebraska to Missouri). It is easily grown in any rich, well drained soil in a sunny spot. V-VI.

Penstemon comarrhenus (Canyon Beardtongue)

15 (25)cm, Canyon Beardtongue is a perennial with upright stems with sky blue to lilac blue, trumpet shaped flowers. It is native of rocky soils in New Mexico to Utah (SW USA). For any rich, very well drained, slightly rocky or sandy soil in full sun. Excellent in the rock garden. VI-VII.

Penstemon cusickii (Basalt Beardtongue)

20cm, Basalt Beardtongue has showy rich blue to lavender or pale bluish-violet flowers above narrow leaves. Seeds from a certified wild collection in Ada County, Idaho, USA at some 1.000m. For any rich, well drained soil in a sunny spot. Excellent in a protected spot in the rock garden. VI-VIII.

Penstemon cyananthus (Wasatch Beardtongue)

15 (25)cm, Wasatch Beardtongue is a perennial with upright stems with densely packed, rich blue, trumpet shaped flowers. It is native of higher elevations in Utah, Idaho and Wyoming (USA). For any rich, very well drained, slightly rocky or sandy soil in full sun. Excellent in the rock garden. VI-VII.

Penstemon cyaneus (Blue Penstemon)

25 (40)cm, Blue Penstemon is a spectacular species with bright bluish-green, broad lanceolate leaves and brilliant sky-blue flowers with a purplish throat. Seeds from a certified wild collection in Park County, Wyoming, USA at some 2.200m. For any rich, well drained soil in a sunny spot. VI-VIII.

Penstemon davidsonii var. davidsonii (Davidson's Beardtongue)

Penstemon davidsonii var. menziesii (Menzies' Penstemon)

10cm, Menzies' Penstemonis a dwarf variety with miniature leaves and quite large blue-violet flowers. Seeds from a certified wild collection in Clallam County, Washington, USA at some 1.900m. For any rich, well drained soil in a sunny spot. Excellent in a protected spot in the rock garden. VI-VIII.

Penstemon davidsonii var. praeteritus (Timberline Beardtongue)

10cm, Timberline Beardtongue is a dwarf variety with miniature greyish-green leaves and unusually large blue-violet flowers. Seeds from a certified wild collection in Harney County, Oregon, USA at some 2.700m. For any rich, well drained soil in a sunny spot. Excellent in a protected spot in the rock garden. VI-VIII.

Penstemon digitalis (Foxglove Beardtongue)

90 (130)cm, Foxglove Beardtongue is a perennial with upright racemes with most showy, scarlet, narrow flower trumpets. It is native of rocky soils in desert mountains in south-western USA. For any rich, well drained soil in full sun to partial shade. VI-VII.

Penstemon eatonii (Eaton’s Firecracker Beardtongue)

90 (130)cm, Eaton’s Firecracker Beardtongue is a perennial with several upright racemes with most ornamental, rich scarlet, narrow flower trumpets. It is native of E and central USA. For any rich, well drained soil in full sun to partial shade. V-VII.

Penstemon eriantherus (Fuzzytongue Penstemon)

10cm, Fuzzytongue Penstemon is a dwarf species with showy large lilac flowers above greyish-green, hairy leaves. Seeds from a certified wild collection in Albany County, Wyoming, USA at some 2.200m. For any rich, well drained soil in a sunny spot. Excellent in a protected spot in the rock garden. VI-VIII.

Penstemon eriantherus var. redactus (Longsac Penstemon)

10cm, Longsac Penstemon is a dwarf variety with showy pale lavender-purplish flowers above greyish-green leaves. Seeds from a certified wild collection in Custer County, Idaho, USA at some 1.950m. For any rich, well drained soil in a sunny spot. Excellent in a protected spot in the rock garden. VI-VIII.

Penstemon euglaucus (Glaucous Beardtongue)

10cm, Glaucous Beardtongue is a dwarf, mat forming species with quite large lavender-blue flowers above bluish-green small leaves. Seeds from a certified wild collection in Linn County, Oregon, USA at some 1.150m. For any rich, well drained soil in a sunny spot. Excellent in a protected spot in the rock garden. VI-VIII.

Penstemon fendleri (Fendlers's Beardtongue)

20 (30)cm, Fendler's Beardtongue is a perennial with broad, bluish green leaves and upright stems with sky blue flowers with a pale rose tinge. It is native from Arizona to Kansas and south to Texas (USA) and Mexico. For any rich, well drained, preferably slightly rocky soil in a sunny spot. V-VII.

Penstemon fremontii (Fremont's Beardtongue)

25cm, Fremont's Beardtongue has utmost showy rich blue flowers above pale greyish-green leaves. Seeds from a certified wild collection in Uintah County, Utah, USA at some 2.300m. For any rich, well drained soil in a sunny spot. VI-VIII.

Penstemon fruticiformis (Death Valley Beardtongue)

15cm, Death Valley Beardtongue is a dwarf species with small lanceolate leaves and rich blue to violet flowers. Seeds from a certified wild collection in Deschutes County, Oregon, USA at some 1.500m. For any rich, well drained soil in a sunny spot. Excellent in a protected spot in the rock garden. VI-VIII.

Penstemon glaber v. alpinus (Alpine Sawsepal Penstemon)

30 (50)cm, Alpine Sawsepal Penstemon makes showy, dense terminal racemes with quite large, rich blue flowers above broadly lanceolate leaves. It is native of rocky sites in subalpine regions in Wyoming and Colorado (USA). Easily cultivated in any rich, well drained, rather rocky soil in full sun. Excellent in the rock garden. VI-VII.

Penstemon grandiflorus (Large-flowered Beardtongue)

70 (120)cm, Large-flowered Beardtongue is an most ornamental perennial with bluish green, slightly succulent leaves and quite tall, erect stems with large, pale sky blue, lavender to pale rose flowers. It is native of the eastern Great Plains (USA) and Mexico. For any rich, well drained, preferably slightly rocky soil in full sun. VI-VIII.

Penstemon griffinii (Griffin's Beardtongue)

30cm, Griffin's Beardtongue makes a basal, bluish green leaf rosette and upright, elegant spikes with sky blue to lavender blue flowers. Native of mountainous regions from the Rocky Mountains to New Mexico and N Arizona. For any rich, very well drained soil in a sunny to partially shaded spot. VI-VIII.

Penstemon grinnellii (Southern Woodland Penstemon)

30 (45)cm, Southern Woodland Penstemon a medium tall species with several racemes of pale rose flowers above a basal rosette of makes glaucous leaves. Seeds from a certified wild collection in Ventura County, California, USA at some 1.700m. For any rich, well drained soil in a sunny spot. VI-VIII.

Penstemon harbourii (Harbour's Beardtongue)

10cm, Harbour's Beardtongue forms low mats of leathery small leaves and showy pale blue flowers. Seeds from a certified wild collection in Summit County, Colorado, USA at some 3.700m. For any rich, well drained soil in a sunny spot. Excellent in a protected spot in the rock garden. VI-VIII.

Penstemon hirsutus (Hairy Beardtongue)

40 (90)cm, Hairy Beardtongue is a perennial with upright, hairy racemes covered with pale violet flower trumpets. It is native of rocky woods and meadows in western Minnesota to eastern New England, and southward to Alabama (USA). For any rich, well drained, preferably slightly rocky soil in full sun. VI-VII.

Penstemon humilis (Low Beardtongue)

15cm, Low Beardtongue has showy, sky-blue flowers above greyish-green leaf rosettes. Seeds from a certified wild collection in Butte County, Idaho, USA at some 1.850m. For any rich, well drained soil in a sunny spot. VI-VIII.

Penstemon humilis var. brevifolius (Low Beardtongue)

15cm, Low Beardtongue has showy, rich gentian-blue flowers above greyish-green leaf rosettes forming dense. Seeds from a certified wild collection in Salt Lake County, Utah, USA at some 3.000m. For any rich, well drained soil in a sunny spot. Excellent in a protected spot in the rock garden. VI-VIII.

Penstemon laricifolius ssp. laricifolius (Larchleaf Beardtongue)

20cm, Larchleaf Beardtongue a medium tall species with deep pink flowers. Seeds from a certified wild collection in Fremont County, Wyoming, USA at some 2.350m. For any rich, well drained soil in a sunny spot. VI-VIII.

Penstemon lentus (Handsome Penstemon)

30 (50)cm, Handsome Penstemon makes a basal leaf rosette and upright, elegant spikes with quite large, intense blue to lavender blue flowers. Native of open sunny spots in mountainous woodlands in New Mexico (McKinley and San Juan counties) to north-eastern Arizona, south-western Colorado, and south-eastern Utah. For any rich, very well drained, preferably slightly rocky soil in a sunny spot. V-VI.

Penstemon linarioides ssp. compactifolius (Toadflax Beardtongue)

20cm, Toadflax Beardtongue makes very narrow green to greyish-green leaves and numerous blue to lavender flowers. Seeds from a certified wild collection in Coconino County, Arizona, USA at some 2.150m. For any rich, well drained soil in a sunny spot. VI-VIII.

Penstemon linarioides var. sileri (Siler's Penstemon)

20cm, Siler's Penstemon is a variety with linear, rich green to greyish-green leaves and numerous blue flowers. Seeds from a certified wild collection in Washington County, Utah, USA at some 1.850m. For any rich, well drained soil in a sunny spot. VI-VIII.

Penstemon mensarum (Tiger Beardtongue)

30cm, Tiger Beardtongue is an utmost showy species with brilliant gentian-blue flowers above a basal rosette of rich green leaves. Seeds from a certified wild collection in Mesa County, Colorado, USA at some 3.150m. For any rich, well drained soil in a sunny spot. VI-VIII.

Penstemon montanus ssp. idahoensis (Central Idaho Penstemon)

15cm, Central Idaho Penstemon is a rather dwarf subspecies with nice greenish-blue foliage and large lavender flowers. Seeds from a certified wild collection in Valley County, Idaho, USA at some 2.400m. For any rich, well drained soil in a sunny spot. Excellent in a protected spot in the rock garden. VI-VIII.

Penstemon neomexicanus (New Mexico Beardtongue)

20cm, New Mexico Beardtongue is a medium tall species with blue flowers above rosettes of rich green, leathery leaves. Seeds from a certified wild collection in Otero County, New Mexico, USA at some 2.600m. For any rich, well drained soil in a sunny spot. Excellent in a protected spot in the rock garden. VI-VIII.

Penstemon newberryi (Mountain Pride Beardtongue)

10cm, Mountain Pride Beardtongue is a dwarf mat forming species with small serrated leaves and showy rose-red flowers. Seeds from a certified wild collection in Siskiyou County, California, USA at some 1.850m. For any rich, well drained soil in a sunny spot. Excellent in a protected spot in the rock garden. VI-VIII.

Penstemon ovatus (Eggleaf Beardtongue)

30cm, Eggleaf Beardtongue is a showy species with oval, serrated leaves and rich blue flowers on upright stalks. For any rich, well drained soil in a sunny spot. VI-VIII.

Penstemon pachyphyllus (Thickleaf Beardtongue)

70cm, Thickleaf Beardtongue grows as a perennial with slightly succulent, bluish green leaves in a basal rosette and erect stems with sky blue to lavender flower trumpets. It is native of western USA. For any rich, well drained, preferably rocky soil in full sun. VI-VII.

Penstemon pachyphyllus var. congestus (Thickleaf Beardtongue)

25 (40)cm, Thickleaf Beardtongue makes somewhat fleshy, greyish-green leaves and showy bluish-violet flowers. Seeds from a certified wild collection in Sevier County, Utah, USA at some 2.150m. For any rich, well drained soil in a sunny spot. VI-VIII.

Penstemon pallidus (Pale Beardtongue)

40cm, Pale Beardtongue is a perennial with broad leaves and upright stems with pale lavender to almost pure white, tubular flowers. It is native of rocky woods and prairies in the USA. For any rich, well drained, preferably slightly rocky soil in a sunny spot. V-VI.

Penstemon palmeri (Pink Wild Snapdragon)

40cm, Pink Wild Snapdragon is a perennial with broad, bluish green leaves and upright stems with fragrant, quite large, white to rose flowers. For any rich, well drained, preferably slightly rocky soil in a sunny spot. V-VI.

Penstemon palmeri var. eglandulosus (Scented Beardtongue)

30 (45)cm, Scented Beardtongue makes showy pale pink to sometimes pure white flowers above glaucous foliage. Seeds from a certified wild collection in Kane County, Utah, USA at some 1.900m. For any rich, well drained soil in a sunny spot. VI-VIII.

Penstemon parryi (Parry's Snapdragon)

60cm, Parry's Snapdragon is an annual to semi-perennial with broad, bluish green leaves and upright stems with rich pink flowers. Native of the Sonora Desert, Arizona (USA). For any rich, very well drained, rocky soil in a sunny spot. V-VI.

Penstemon parvulus (Short-Stalk Penstemon)

15cm, Short-Stalk Penstemon is a dwarf species with bluish-green leaves and rich blue-lavender flowers. Seeds from a certified wild collection in Jackson County, Oregon, USA at some 1.750m. For any rich, well drained soil in a sunny spot. Excellent in a protected spot in the rock garden. VI-VIII.