Palmer Penstemon

Palmer Penstemon, also known as Palmer’s beardtongue, is a perennial native herb with slightly woody stems and fragrant pink blooms that attract bees and other pollinators.  The succulent leaves provide year- round forage for livestock, big game and small birds.

A hardy plant, Palmer penstemon is able to establish itself on disturbed, infertile sites and has excellent tolerance to both cold and drought.  Although  usually found growing in sunny locations, it will also tolerate partial shade. These characteristics make Palmer penstemon useful in reclamation mixes for erosion control, as well as a robust and beautiful component of a xeriscape garden. Palmer Penstemon prefers well drained soil and full sun, and is found in pinyon-juniper and sagebrush communities from New Mexico to Wyoming and westward to California.

Seed should be planted 1/4 inch deep or less.  Dormant fall seeding is preferred because the exposure to cold over the winter reduces seed dormancy.  Flowering should not be expected until at least the second season.