Penstemon are not generally a longlived plant and rarely selfseed in the garden. The plants database includes the following 3 subspecies of penstemon eatonii. The importance of plants lies in their great contribution to human life and the environment. Plant in fertile, welldrained soil in full sun or part shade. The diversity of these plants is truly remarkable, with several hundred species available. They have glossy, dark green leaves and spikes of brightly colored, funnel shaped flowers that continue to bloom for months on end. Firecracker penstemon seed requires a cool, moist period stratification to germinate. The size of this plant can greatly vary from feet tall and wide so keep an eye on it to make sure that it doesnt get too big for the container. One of my favorite flowers, the firecracker penstemon. Penstemon plants are herbaceous perennials that feature lanceshaped foliage and spikes of tubular flowers. Ive had it rebloom consistently if you cut off the spent stalk.
Gardening in tucson, phoenix, arizona and california. They are supposed to be shortlived, but i havent lost any yet, so they must be really happy in our climate. There are tiny alpine species that can grow in the cracks of rocks and stand up to extremely cold weather, while others grow in disturbed soils in prairie settings. The brilliant red tubular flowers clustered along one side of tall stalks with shiny, leathery leaves are loved by hummingbirds. Sep 02, 2016 how to takes cuttings from penstemon to get plants for free gardentags. Although it will tolerate partial shade, the plant will grow and bloom best in a sunny location. It grows in many types of desert, woodland, forest, and open plateau habitat. Richfield selection firecracker penstemon penstemon eatonii is a selected class germplasm release of a native collection from near richfield, utah. Tall stalks adorned with brilliant orangered tubular flowers rise 1 to 3 ft. These plants reach a height range of 10 cm to about 3 metres. There is so much to love about this beautiful perennial. How to takes cuttings from penstemon to get plants for. How to grow and care for the beardtongue flower penstemon. Firecracker flowers, how to grow and care for firecracker.
However, it is a tender plant, so be sure to cover it when cold weather strikes. They thrive in loose, gravelly soil, and will do best in raised beds, or on hillsides and slopes. Feeding can be done with a balanced fertilizer that can be applied once a year during spring. Cedar palmers penstemon penstemon palmeri and bandera rocky mountain penstemon penstemon strictus are the only released penstemons noted to have any forage value. The best location for your penstemon is in a full sun area with well draining soil.
Firecracker penstemon is a member of a large group of plants composed of many wild species found growing in a variety of climates, as well as numerous hybrids that have been developed for a wide range of characteristics. The plantain family plantaginaceae gifts us with some wonderful ornamental flowering plants, including snapdragons, foxglove, and the valuable penstemon genus, which contains more than 250 beardtongue species ready to grow in your garden. Penstemon care and maintenance is minimal if the site and moisture requirements are met. The importance of firecracker penstemon is high as its benefits are more and so are firecracker penstemon facts. Penstemon make a lovely cut flower and should last 57 days in a vase. How to takes cuttings from penstemon to get plants for free gardentags. Prune your firecracker penstemon every year to keep it from becoming leggy. Yes, although it does best in part shade in the hottest months of the year. In short, penstemons are easy to grow, as they require less care and maintenance. Firecracker penstemon monrovia firecracker penstemon.
This tough perennial blooms january through april in my zone 9a garden. Penstemon plants are perennials that grow well in usda zones 4 to 9. They are natures choice to be among the first plants to colonize disturbed landscapes that result from fire, erosion and road cuts. And thats just the plant heightthe leaves and blooms also come in. They stay almost evergreen, dont need any special winter care, and dont care if you cant water them too often in the summer. It needs no fertilizer and requires pruning only once a year to remove. Overall needs will be reduced when plants are placed in areas where the soil, climate and. Border penstemons are easy to grow in any fertile, reasonably moist, freedraining soil in full sun or light shade. Overwatering is not good for these plants, as their stems may start rotting. It is not evergreen here in zone 5ish of western co. The flowers will last longer if the stems are dipped in boiling water for 30 seconds and then left in very cold water overnight. They prefer full sun, but will tolerate partial shade.
Above all, you have ample choice when it comes to plant size and bloom color. Penstemons at least the common, garden variety do so well here in the puget sound, and bloom so much and so long, and take so little care, that i dont understand why they arent more popular. Lady bird johnson wildflower center focused on protecting and preserving north americas native plants through native plant lists and image galleries, conservation, education, natural landscapes, seed collection millennium seed bank msb project, preserving and restoring native communities, spreading awareness on invasive species and gardening to attract wildlife. This prairie plant thrives in hot, sunny conditions and is a stunning addition to wildflower plantings. Penstemon eatonii is a species in the plantaginaceae plantain family known by the common name eatons firecracker. The species is found throughout the west at elevations from 3,000 to 11,000 feet. The plants long, tubular flowers resemble small, red firecrackers, hence the common name. The perennial is remarkably tolerant of drought conditions and is a stalwart presence in even low nutrient soils. Other general sources of information include calflora, cnps manual of vegetation online, jepson.
Firecracker penstemon long wands of scarlet, twolipped, tubular flowers are loved by hummingbirds. Eatons beardtongue, scarletbugler penstemon, penstemon eatonii. Care and maintenance keep the penstemon flowerbed weeded regularly. Click below on a thumbnail map or name for subspecies profiles. Drought tolerant, found on dry slopes and flats in sagebrush, pinyonjuniper, mountain mahogany and ponderosa pine plant communities. Firecracker beardtongue penstemon eatonii is a widespread native species in the western u. From dwarf little alpine plants to prairie penstemons reaching up to 5 feet tall, theres a height for every part of the garden. Penstemon, firecracker penstemon eatonii wildflower seeds.
Penstemon eatoni is a perennial herb producing several sprawling to erect stems reaching one meter in maximum height. Firecracker penstemon seeds are usually dormant at maturity, though the degree of dormancy varies with habitat. Like most penstemon species, its roots require excellent soil drainage. Firecracker penstemon richfield strain richfield strain firecracker beardtongue penstemon eatonii richfield strain. Tuck into a xeriscape, rock garden or border planting where the blooms will entice. It is native to the western united states, from southern california to the rocky mountains. Toothed, sage green leaves skirt the upright stems for the. Penstemon eatonii eatons firecracker care plant varieties. One characteristic i appreciate about firecracker penstemon is the foliage can be evergreen throughout our denver winters. This showy drought tolerant perennial is native to the mountains of the desert southwest. Firecracker penstemon penstemon eatonii is my favorite plant. This time of year, my firecracker penstemon penstemon eatonii is in full bloom, much to the delight of bees and hummingbirds. Penstemon, beard tongue, eatons penstemon, firecracker.
A threeinch layer of organic mulch can help to control weeds, and rock mulch is also a suitable choice. Their flowers are often associated with the hummingbirds who rely on their nectar as an early source of food. Poorly draining soils and freezing temperatures while the plant is still active are the biggest causes of plant mortality. Penstemon eatonii is a species of penstemon known by the common name firecracker penstemon. Our products wildflowers and grasses firecraker penstemon penstemon eatonii, firecracker penstemon 10 cubic inch plug an outstanding perennial for dry, sunny areas. The firecracker penstemon would provide instant interest from attracting hummingbirds and a bit of color. Known botanically as penstemon eatonii, this wildflower is sometimes called eaton penstemon, eaton beardtongue or. Known botanically as penstemon eatonii, this wildflower is sometimes called eaton penstemon, eaton beardtongue or scarlet. Most require1016 weeks of moist chilling to become germinable, and germinate in chilling. It is native to the western united states from california to the rocky mountains, where it grows in many types of desert, woodland, forest, and open plateau habitat. Because of the seed stratification requirement, firecracker penstemon should be seeded in late fall with a drill or broadcast planted and then pressed to a depth of.
Pass by any landscape that has firecracker penstemon penstemon eatonii and. To extend the lifespan the plant, deadhead the flower spikes when flowering is done. Firecracker beardtongue penstemon eatonii high country gardens. How to takes cuttings from penstemon to get plants for free. Firecracker penstemon is a herbaceous shortlived perennial 3 to 6. Penstemon eatonii eaton s firecracker will reach a height of 0. Snapdragonlike pale pink flowers boom in late spring or early summer, and their sweethoney scent attracts bumblebees. Firecracker penstemon in hot, dry climates and arizona and california.
Firecracker plant typically blooms yearround with a profusion of red, tubular flowers. The plant has attractive evergreen foliage and is a good species for naturalizing in harsh growing conditions. Firecracker flowers are easy plants to grow and care for, as long as they have sufficient water and humidity. An amazing genus of plants native to north america, penstemons make wonderful additions to the garden. Eatons beardtongue, firecracker penstemon, penstemon eatonii ssp. Penstemon belonged to the scrophulariaceae family, but now they are placed in the expanded. The firecracker penstemon is aptly namedits tubular flowers are a striking fire engine red and explode from the plant in a profusion of blooms on tall flower spikes that resemble fireworks. Beds and borders, city, cottageinformal, low maintenance, wildlife. Firecracker penstemon penstemon eatonii this showy drought tolerant perennial is native to the mountains of the desert southwest. Firecracker plant can reach three to four feet tall and six or more feet wide, so be sure to give it room to sprawl. Penstemons are one of the most valuable late summerflowering perennials and, in all but the coldest regions, are easy and reliable. Richfield was selected by the aberdeen plant materials center for its beauty, hardiness, seed production, natural range of.
Firecracker penstemon penstemon eatonii the firecracker penstemon is a great plant in our arizona desert for winter color. Penstemon eatonii is a species of penstemon known by the common name firecracker penstemon it is native to the western united states, from southern california to the rocky mountains. Penstemons tolerate drought, but one inch of water per week in the summer will keep plants vigorous and promote better blooming. How to takes cuttings from penstemon to get plants for free duration. How to care for a penstemon flower home guides sf gate. Their flowers are often associated with the hummingbirds who rely on their nectar as an early source. Penstemon care mustknows penstemons are tough perennials that can stand up to some pretty intense growing conditions. For useful information on how best to care for penstemons, please see the list of penstemon growing tips on the high country gardens website.
Keep the area around your plant well weeded, especially in fall. How to look after penstemon by mikethegardener duration. A native of the southwest, palmers penstemon sports sharp, prickly, gray leaves and thrives in the harsh conditions. Overall needs will be reduced when plants are placed in areas where the soil, climate and exposure match the plant requirements. Feed your penstemon a slowrelease, 101010, granular fertilizer in spring or at planting time by sprinkling the fertilizer on the soil over the plants root zone. Penstemon eatonii lady bird johnson wildflower center. Penstemons are perennial plants and some of its varieties belong to the shrubs or sub shrubs. Firecracker flower plants are very decorative, compact flowering shrubs that grow 1824 tall. Transplant a penstemon in spring to a site that receives full sun if the plant is growing in shade. Remove dead flower stocks after flowering in late spring or summer 1. As plants become dormant in the fall, remove dead leaves and stems.
Penstemon is a western united states native that has colorful tubular flowers on tall spikes. Sep 21, 2017 firecracker plant, also known as cigar flower or its latin name, cuphea ignea, is a perennial plant valued for its ornamental flowers, lanceshaped foliage and ease of care. Growing penstemon is straightforward, as they are extremely resilient when well matched to their planting site, and are excellent naturalizing plants when encouraged to reseed themselves. Firecracker penstemon archives ramblings from a desert garden. Learn more about monrovia plants and best practices for best possible plant performance. The firecracker penstemon is aptly namedits tubular flowers are a. Firecracker penstemon penstemon eatonii in the penstemons. About penstemons penstemon forms dense spikes of tubular flowers in.
Firecracker penstemon is an erect, perennial, coolseason, shortlived forb, 40100 cm 1639 in tall with scarlet bright red colored flowers. Medium green leaves are accented with tubular flowers that sit on top of the plant. Smart tips to prune penstemon plants for enhanced growth. Browse pictures and read growth cultivation information about penstemon, beard tongue, eatons penstemon, firecracker penstemon, pride of the mountain penstemon eatonii richfield selection su. If you have any questions, please call customer service tollfree at 800. It is adaptable to various soil textures but thrives in lowfertility soils. Oct 02, 2009 firecracker penstemon penstemon eatonii is my favorite plant. Firecracker plant university of florida, institute of food. How to grow and care for penstemon perrenial flowers. Every gardener must look for the required information on this plant before planting it. Posted by marilyn northern ky zone 6a on may 30, 20 12. Firecracker penstemon penstemon eatonii civano nursery. Penstemon beard tongue is a commonly found perennial, which may also grow as an annual in chilly or excessively hot regions.
Firecracker penstemon is chiefly used as a forb component for restoration and wildlife. Firecracker beardtongue penstemon eatonii is a western native. Monrovia s firecracker penstemon details and information. And last but not least, penstemon s nectarrich flowers are indispensable to pollinators like bumblebees and hummingbirds. Firecracker plant university of florida, institute of. Firecracker penstemon archives ramblings from a desert.
These plants need welldrained soil and partial to full sun. This popular species is native to hot, dry conditions of the s. Shear your penstemon to about 3 to 4 inches tall in late fall or early spring before new growth emerges if it is a lowgrowing, bushtype variety. Most of the species are droughttolerant, but hybrids may require frequent watering.
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