   Native Landscaping: Penstemons - February 24, 1999 Jeff Schalau, County Director, Agent, Agriculture & Natural Resources Arizona Cooperative Extension, Yavapai County Native plants are a natural choice for informal, water conserving landscapes. A few large commercial growers have been actively collecting new varieties of native plants from wild populations in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. At or near the top of my list are the penstemons. This showy perennial is a member of the Snapdragon family (Scrophulariaceae), attracts hummingbirds, and range in color from orange to red, to purple, to white, and everything between. Their growth form ranges from low-growing ground covers with short flower spikes to small basal rosettes that produce tall flower spikes. Most penstemons have tubular flowers with trilobed petals jutting outward from the lower part of the corolla, hence the common name: beard tongue. They prefer good drainage and are quite drought tolerant although some watering may be required during the dry summer months prior to the monsoon season. Plant them in full or partial sun with ample growing space. Using soil amendments will improve fertility and add organic matter to our typically nutrient-poor soils. Penstemons are spring bloomers and look best in rock gardens or planted among desert shrubs or cactus. Once established, they naturalize readily. In the Peterson Field Guide: Southwestern and Texas Wildflowers, 30 varieties are listed. Some of the more commonly available species are: Arizona Penstemon (Penstemon pseudospectabilis); Superb Penstemon (Penstemon superbis); Parry's Penstemon (Penstemon parryi); Firecracker Penstemon (Penstemon eatonii); Rocky Mountain Penstemon (Penstemon strictus); and Southwestern Penstemon (Penstemon barbatus). Arizona Penstemon is 3 to 4 feet tall, robust, bushy plant with fuchsia colored flowers. The leaves are gray-green, triangular and completely encircle the stem. It is native throughout Arizona and western New Mexico. Superb Penstemon is 2 to 3 feet tall and finer textured than Arizona Penstemon with coral colored flowers. It has blue-green smooth leaves. Parry's Penstemon is 2 to 3 feet tall with lavender-red flowers. It has blue-green smooth leaves and is native to the lower deserts of Arizona. Firecracker Penstemon is 1 to 2 feet tall with scarlet flowers. The leaves are green and have a slightly wavy margin. It is native to Arizona, northern New Mexico, and the southwest Rocky Mountains. Rocky Mountain Penstemon is 1 to 2 feet tall with bluish-purple flowers. The strap-like leaves are smooth and dark green. This prolific plant is native to the mountains of Nevada, Arizona, northern New Mexico, and the Rocky Mountains. Southwestern Penstemon is 2 to 4 feet tall with bright reddish-orange flowers. The leaves are very narrow (almost grass-like) and dark green. It is native to the mountains of the southwest, west Texas, and the Rocky Mountains. If you are thinking of trying to collect plants or seed from lands other than your own, please consult the owner. There are native plant laws protecting some species and often collecting permits are required. Better yet, visit your local nursery and request the plants or seeds you are seeking. Mountain States Wholesale Nursery propagates many native plants that can be ordered by your local nursery. The Arboretum at Flagstaff has a native plant sale every year in June (Yavapai County Master Gardeners make a yearly pilgrimage to this sale). The Chulo Canyon Seed Company (P.O. Box 27, Bisbee, AZ 85603, (928) 432-4345, E-mail: chulo@theriver.com) sells penstemon and other herbaceous plant seeds.Even if you do not plant penstemons, look for them in the wild among the rocky arroyos, canyons, and scrublands of the Verde Valley and canyons along the Mogollon Rim. Even with the apparent La Nina, it's not too late to wish for the plentiful rain we deserve and the beautiful wildflowers that would follow. The University of Arizona Cooperative Extension has publications and information on composting and cover crops. If you have other gardening questions, call the Master Gardener line in the Cottonwood office at 646-9113 or E-mail us at mgardener@kachina.net and be sure to include your address and phone number. |