Nothochelone Species, Woodland Beardtongue, Woodland Penstemon

This is a penstemon-like northwest native perennial. It's been one of my favorites. It looks and acts very similar to Penstemon serrulatu...Read Mores... It forms a basal rosette that makes a nice mat of thick, glossy leaves, and sends up profuse flower stalks in June. The difference between Nothochelone nemorosa and P. serrulatus is that the leaves are a deep purple-green that looks quite lovely, while the penstemon is a bit plainer.

It can handle more moisture and shade than most penstemons or penstemon-like plants. I read that it can handle full sun and dry soil, but I haven't tried it in a really hot dry place yet. It was very easy to divide after one year, and the small division is sprouting nicely this summer.