Botanical Name: Penstemon palmeri
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Common Name: Palmer Penstemon  
Plant photo of: Penstemon palmeri
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Water Saving Tip:

Replace turf with groundcovers, trees, and shrubs. If you have areas where no one uses the grass, patches that do not grow well, or a turf area too small to water without runoff, consider replacing the turf with water-efficient landscaping.

  • Anatomy

  • Culture

  • Design

Plant Type

Perennial

 

Height Range

3-6'

 

Flower Color

Pink

 

Flower Season

Summer

 

Leaf Color

Grey Green

 

Bark Color

n/a

 

Fruit Color

n/a

 

Fruit Season

n/a

Sun

Full

 

Water

Very Low

 

Growth Rate

Moderate

 

Soil Type

Sandy, Rocky

 

Soil Condition

Average, Poor, Well-drained, Dry

 

Soil pH

Neutral, Basic

 

Adverse Factors

Attracts Bees

Design Styles

English Cottage, Meadow, Mediterranean, Ranch, Spanish, Native Garden

 

Accenting Features

Fragrance, Showy Flowers

 

Seasonal Interest

Summer

 

Location Uses

Perennial Border, Walls / Fences, With Rocks

 

Special Uses

Cut Flowers, Naturalizing

 

Attracts Wildlife

Hummingbirds

Information by: Stephanie Duer
Photographer: Susan Frommer

  • Description

  • Notes

A standout for many reasons, Palmer penstemon may also be the tallest penstemon, reaching 4 to 5 feet tall and 2 to 3 feet wide. It is also one of the few penstemons that are fragrant. Its foliage is gray green and thickish; flowers are pale pink and bloom in early to mid summer. Bumblebees will practically get lost getting pollen out of these flowers! A very xeric plant, it tolerates a lot of sun and heat, but not a lot of moisture. Hummingbirds love it; deer and rabbits tend to leave it be. A Utah native.
Plant in full sun in well drained soil; preferring dry, loose, gravelly and sandy-loam soils. Provide a crushed gravel mulch. Do not over-head water, but if supplemental water is necessary, use a drip method. Does not require watering on establishment.