Care of the plant Penstemon or Beardtongues |
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The genus Penstemon, family Plantaginaceae, comprises 250 species of perennial plants and shrubs native to Central and North America. Some species are: Penstemon palmeri, Penstemon barbatus, Penstemon procerus, Penstemon campanulatus, Penstemon hartwegii, Penstemon scouleri, Penstemon cordifolius, Penstemon menziesii, Penstemon cobaea. Common name: Beardtongues. They are creeping or erect plants with opposite oval or linear leaves. The interesting flowers (violet, pink, purple or red in color) appear in spikes with long peduncles and are tubular in shape with a trilobed lower lip and a bilobed upper lip. They bloom in summer. They are used in rockeries, in mixed borders, in isolated groups and in pots at least 30 cm (11.8") deep and 20 cm (7.87") wide. The Penstemon needs a sunny exposure and annual average temperatures of 10-20 ºC (50-68 ºF). The soil must be light, calcareous and well drained; they can grow in slightly fertile, well-drained soils. Planting can be done in any season except summer; plant the specimens 50 cm (19.68") apart. Water frequently but with little water, enough so that the substrate is always slightly damp. In summer increase watering. Fertilize every 15 days with mineral fertilizer during the summer (flowering period). They are easy to grow plants and very resistant to pests and diseases. They are propagated by seeds sown in spring, by division in spring, and by cuttings from late spring to late summer. |
Images of the plant Penstemon or Beardtongues |
 Penstemon palmeri  Penstemon palmeri  Penstemon palmeri  Penstemon  Penstemon |