Palmer’s Penstemon
(Penstemon palmeri)
Palmer’s Penstemon (Penstemon palmeri)
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Robb Hannawacker
Public Domain
Image By:
Robb Hannawacker
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Copyright:
Public Domain
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: Robb Hannawacker | License Type: Public Domain | License URL: http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/ | Rights Holder: Robb Hannawacker | Publisher: iNaturalist | Date Created: 2019-05-25T23:04:18Z |
Estimated Native Range
Summary
Penstemon palmeri, commonly known as Palmer’s Penstemon, is a perennial herb native to desert washes, dry slopes, and rocky outcrops in the Intermountain West of the USA, including Utah, Nevada, Arizona, and adjacent areas. It can reach up to 2 meters (6.6 ft) in height and is characterized by its erect growth habit and glaucous, waxy coating on stems and leaves, which helps reduce water loss. The showy, rounded flowers are large with pink to violet to blue-purple petals and are fragrant, a rarity among penstemons, making them particularly attractive to pollinators. Flowering occurs from late spring to early summer, and the plant’s ability to produce occasional red, yellow, or white flowers adds to its horticultural appeal.
Palmer’s Penstemon is valued for its drought tolerance and showy, scented flowers. It is often used in xeriscaping, rock gardens, and native plant landscapes. It requires minimal maintenance once established, making it a suitable choice for gardeners seeking low-water-use plants. In cultivation, it thrives in full sun and well-draining soils, and it is best to avoid overwatering to prevent root rot. While it is generally disease-resistant, it can be susceptible to root rot in poorly drained soils.CC BY-SA 4.0
Palmer’s Penstemon is valued for its drought tolerance and showy, scented flowers. It is often used in xeriscaping, rock gardens, and native plant landscapes. It requires minimal maintenance once established, making it a suitable choice for gardeners seeking low-water-use plants. In cultivation, it thrives in full sun and well-draining soils, and it is best to avoid overwatering to prevent root rot. While it is generally disease-resistant, it can be susceptible to root rot in poorly drained soils.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Herb
- Height: 3-4.5 feet
- Width: 2.5-3 feet
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Flower Color: Pink, White
- Flowering Season: Spring
- Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun
- Water: Low
- Drainage: Fast
Common Uses
Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Butterfly Garden, Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Erosion Control, Fire Resistant, Groundcover, Hummingbird Garden, Low Maintenance, Rabbit Resistant, Rock Garden, Showy Flowers, Street Planting
Natural Habitat
Desert washes, dry slopes, and rocky outcrops in the Intermountain West
Other Names
Common Names: Palmer Penstemon , Doftpenstemon
Scientific Names: Penstemon palmeri , Penstemon palmeri var. palmeri , Penstemon palmeri subsp. typicus
GBIF Accepted Name: Penstemon palmeri A.Gray