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Penstemon palmeri (Palmer's penstemon)
Flaigg, Norman G.

Penstemon palmeri Gray

Palmer's penstemon, Scented beardtongue, Scented penstemon

Scrophulariaceae (Figwort Family)

USDA Symbol: pepa8

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

This is one of the few fragrant penstemons. Its sub-woody, branched stems bear oblong, grayish leaves which ascend the stalk in fused pairs. A few sparsely-leaved, erect, stout stems have swollen white to reddish-pink bilaterally symmetrical flowers mostly turned to one side in a long, narrow cluster. Flowers spikes can reach 4-5 ft. in height and bear a profusion of large, white flowers tinged with pink.

This is one of the most delightful species of Penstemon, its cheery puffed-up flowers exquisitely fragrant.

 

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Flower:
Fruit:
Size Class: 3-6 ft.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White
Bloom Time: May , Jun

Distribution

USA: AZ , CA , ID , NM , NV , UT
Native Distribution: S. CA to AZ & UT
Native Habitat: Washes & rocky areas in desert mts. & grasslands; 3500 to 6500 ft.
USDA Native Status: L48(N)

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Low
Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Dry
Soil Description: Dry, rocky soils.
Conditions Comments: Not Available

Value to Beneficial Insects

Special Value to Native Bees

This information was provided by the Pollinator Program at The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.

Propagation

Description: Propagate using half-woody cuttings or seed.
Seed Collection: Not Available
Seed Treatment: Germination is best with cold-moist stratification but it is not necessary. It has been shown that germination is greatly enhanced with GA3.
Commercially Avail: yes

Find Seed or Plants

Find seed sources for this species at the Native Seed Network.

View propagation protocol from Native Plants Network.

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is either on display or available from the following:

Santa Barbara Botanic Garden - Santa Barbara, CA
Native Seed Network - Corvallis, OR

Bibliography

Bibref 995 - Native Landscaping from El Paso to L.A. (2000) Wasowski, S. and A. Wasowski

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

USDA: Find Penstemon palmeri in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Penstemon palmeri in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Penstemon palmeri

Metadata

Record Modified: 2009-02-21
Research By: TWC Staff

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