Re: [SG] now color in shade/ ... Penstemons, some of best kinds

Many of the showier Penstemons are sun plants, however, there are a few that
will tolerate a bit of shade.
Penstemon ovatus is a good species to try for less than perfect conditions,
being more adaptable than most.   It takes a wide variety of conditions and
is more soil and shade tolerant than most. Also a beautiful shade of
delphinium blue.  I don't know of any Penstemons that will grow in dense
shade, but have a few that will take as little as 3 to 4 hours sun.  Some
that bloom fairly well under these conditions for me are P. newberryi (hot
pink), native to high elevation forests;  most hybrids and species of the
section Habroanthus.  These are the most common in nurseries other than the
tender Gloxinioides or Mexican hybrids.
Also for zones 7-10 (possible 6) are the little known Peltanthera hybrids,
which are some of my favorites.  They are more soil tolerant than most, and
will take a few hours of shade and still bloom.  They are hybrids of the
beautiful large flowered Mexican hybrids crossed with the desert species from
the section Peltanthera.  I grow some of these from seed every year, trying
to increase my color base.  They seem to be long lived and one of the easiest
and showiest.   If anyone would care to discuss Penstemons please E-mail me
directly as I love to talk about them.

Also will have some to trade in fall.
Lillian
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