RE: Penstemons

Colin, Cheryl, Claire & Susan,
	My personal opinion about Penstemons is that they are terrific, long lived
plants.  I have clumps of Midnight Blue, Ruby, Garnet,  and Stapleford Gem
that are 10+ years old and still going strong.  I particularly appreciate
the fact that they are evergreen in our climate.
	There are many species of Penstemons that are native to the west and the
high places of the northwest.  In the Basalt cliffs of the Columbia River
Gorge (extremely wet winter & spring and fierce winds), Penstemons live in
the cracks of the rocks.  Claire is right, they do require excellent
drainage.  In my equally wet winter garden, I found that building a little
teepee (out of fallen limbs from my Fir trees) over the crown of the plant
helps direct excess water away from the roots.  I also do better growing
them on the lean side.  Too much fertilizer makes them flop.
	The Penstemons out in my "hell strip" have been blooming full blast since
June and are still putting out new stems loaded with buds.  A most rewarding
plant......now if I could just get a decent stand of  Lobelia cardinalis
'Queen Victoria' going.......I've killed this more than 3 times!

Marilyn Dube'
Natural Designs Nursery
Portland, Oregon


-----Original Message-----
From:	owner-perennials@hort.net [o*@hort.net] On Behalf
Of Saxton, Susan
Sent:	Wednesday, August 21, 2002 8:46 AM
To:	perennials@hort.net
Subject:	RE: Penstemons

Hi Cheryl,

I live in the Pacific NorthWET (western Oregon) and have had problems with
penstemons as well.  The one that comes back reliably for me, and in fact
spreads into a nice clump -- there is always some to share -- is Midlight
Blue.  The flowers are not overly large, no real distinct throat like some
of the real beauties, but a very nice purple, consistent bloomer and grower.

Marilyn Dube of this list has suggested making teepees of branches over
penstemons in the winter to shed some of the water.  I intend to try this
and thought I'd mention the tip again.

---------------------------------------------------------------------
To sign-off this list, send email to majordomo@hort.net with the
message text UNSUBSCRIBE PERENNIALS
Other Mailing lists | Author Index | Date Index | Subject Index | Thread Index