Penstemon venustus (Venus Penstemon)
Venus Penstemon, Venus Beardtongue, Lovely Penstemon, Beautiful Penstemon, Shrubby Venus Penstemon, Alpine Penstemon, Elegant Beardtongue
Penstemon venustus (Venus Penstemon) is a long-lived, herbaceous perennial to woody subshrub with several ascending to erect stems boasting showy wands of large, lavender to purple flowers, 1.5 in. long (4 cm) in early to mid summer. The blossoms attract bees, butterflies and numerous pollinators. Arising from a strong taproot, the stems are clad with stiff, lanceolate, usually sharply serrate leaves, 3-5 in. long (7-12 cm). Venus Penstemon is a good plant for water-wise landscaping, soil stabilization, rock gardens, desert gardens, and other ornamental plantings. Venus Penstemon is also chiefly used in wildlife habitat enhancement projects and restoration efforts.
- Grows up to 1-3 ft. tall (30-90 cm) and 18 in. wide (45 cm).
- Performs best in full sun in shallow rocky and sandy loam, well-drained soils. It does not grow well in areas with poor drainage. Drought tolerant once established. Penstemons need very little water and barely any fertilizer.
- Provides a bold impact in beds and borders, cottage gardens, rock gardens or in prairie plantings. Great for naturalistic planting schemes.
- No serious pest or disease issues.
- As plants become dormant in the fall, remove dead leaves and stems.
- Propagate by seed.
- Native to Washington, Oregon, California, Idaho and Utah.
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Requirements
Hardiness | 4
– 8 |
---|---|
Plant Type | Perennials, Shrubs |
Plant Family | Penstemon - Beardtongues |
Exposure | Full Sun |
Season of Interest |
Summer (Early,Mid) |
Height | 1' – 3' (30cm – 90cm) |
Spread | 1' – 2' (30cm – 60cm) |
Spacing | 18" – 24" (45cm – 60cm) |
Water Needs | Low |
Maintenance | Low |
Soil Type | Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Showy |
Native Plants | United States, California, Pacific Northwest, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, Rocky Mountains, Utah |
Tolerance | Drought |
Attracts | Birds, Butterflies, Hummingbirds |
Garden Uses | Beds and Borders |
Garden Styles | Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow |
By Jennifer Bosvert, Shutterstock
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
Requirements
Hardiness | 4
– 8 |
---|---|
Plant Type | Perennials, Shrubs |
Plant Family | Penstemon - Beardtongues |
Exposure | Full Sun |
Season of Interest |
Summer (Early,Mid) |
Height | 1' – 3' (30cm – 90cm) |
Spread | 1' – 2' (30cm – 60cm) |
Spacing | 18" – 24" (45cm – 60cm) |
Water Needs | Low |
Maintenance | Low |
Soil Type | Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Showy |
Native Plants | United States, California, Pacific Northwest, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, Rocky Mountains, Utah |
Tolerance | Drought |
Attracts | Birds, Butterflies, Hummingbirds |
Garden Uses | Beds and Borders |
Garden Styles | Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow |