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< back Common name: taper-leaf penstemon Scientific name: Penstemon attenuatus Duration: Perennial Family: Scrophulariaceae Habitat: Prefers a well-drained site in full sun, loam or sandy soil is preferred; however heavy clay soil can be amended by adding peat moss and sand Blooming period: Summer Color: Purple to blue flowers with shiny green foliage Height: 1-2' Planting Time: Taper-leaf penstemon attracts many pollinators; especially bees and butterflies. This is a tufted perennial with upright stems. Penstemon is a large genus with over 275 species scattered from Mexico to Canada. The common name for the genus is beardtongue which comes from the 1 non-fertile stamen present in Penstemon flowers. This is called the staminode and is usually hairy or looks “bearded.” The other four stamens are fertile. Seeding Requirements: Plant seed out in fall. These seeds need 90 days of cold moist conditions to germinate. Planting Instructions: Sow seeds directly in the ground or in pots at 1/8" in late fall as these seeds require 90 days of cold moist conditions for successful germination. Seeds will sprout in the spring! Maintain a moist seed bed in the spring; gradually reducing watering following the first year of establishment. Seeing Rate: 1 oz./200 sq.ft. Penstemon in Greek pente means “five” and stemon means “stamen”, this probably refers to the fifth stamen which is the staminode (sterile stamen) or to the fact that there are five stamens total attenuatus means “narrowed to a point” which most likely refers to the leaves
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