Penstemon palmeri (Palmer penstemon)
Tall native perennial with soft pink fragrant flowers, blooming April to August. Very drought tolerant, preferring open areas such as well-drained rocky hillsides, gravelly washes and roadsides in desert brush and woodland communities; up to 9,000 ft. elevation. Semi-evergreen leaves are somewhat fire resistant and palatable to wildlife and livestock during spring and winter. Recommended for revegetation and pollinator habitat; attracts various native bees. Varieties listed below.
DISTRIBUTION / ADAPTATION
INFORMATION & ATTRIBUTES
Family: Scrophulariaceae
Duration: Perennial
Growth Habit: Forb/herb
Native Status: Native
Growth Form: Single crown
Mature Height: 42 in.
Bloom Color: pink to purple
Bloom Period: Late spring
Annual Precipitation: 6-14 in.
Drought Tolerance: High
Shade Tolerance: Intolerant
Elevation:
Fire Resistance: No
Fire Tolerance: High
Nitrogen Fixation: None
SOIL ADAPTATION
Coarse Texture: Yes
Medium Texture: Yes
Fine Texture: No
Salinity Tolerance: None
CaCO3 Tolerance: Low
pH Range: 6.0-7.9
SEEDING NOTES
Seeds per Pound: 586,000
Seeding Rate: 1.2 PLS lbs/acre
Season: Fall
Days to Germination:
VARIETIES & LOCAL ACCESSIONS
Cedar - Widely adapted. Able to establish, persist and provide forage diversity for small birds, big game and livestock. Excellent root system for erosion control and revegetation. (Released 1985)