Penstemon Species, Beard Tongue, Lilac Penstemon, Slender Penstemon, Pride of the Mountain

Penstemongracilis

Genus
Penstemon (PEN-stem-on)
Species
gracilis (GRASS-il-is)
Synonym
Chelone gracilis
Penstemon glaucus
Penstemon gracilis f. scoggannii
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Foliage
Evergreen
Smooth
Height
6-12 in. (15-30 cm)
12-18 in. (30-45 cm)
Spacing
15-18 in. (38-45 cm)
Hardiness
USDA Zone 3a: to -39.9 °C (-40 °F)
USDA Zone 3b: to -37.2 °C (-35 °F)
USDA Zone 4a: to -34.4 °C (-30 °F)
USDA Zone 4b: to -31.6 °C (-25 °F)
USDA Zone 5a: to -28.8 °C (-20 °F)
USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 °C (-15 °F)
USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F)
USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F)
USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F)
USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F)
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
Bloom Color
Lavender
White/Near White
Bloom Time
Late Spring/Early Summer
Mid Summer
Other Details
Category
Alpines and Rock Gardens
Perennials
Water Requirements
Drought-tolerant; suitable for xeriscaping
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Foliage Color
Where to Grow
Bloom Characteristics
This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds
Bloom Size
Other details
Soil pH requirements
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)
7.9 to 8.5 (alkaline)
Patent Information
Propagation Methods
From herbaceous stem cuttings
From seed; direct sow outdoors in fall
From seed; winter sow in vented containers, coldframe or unheated greenhouse
From seed; stratify if sowing indoors
Seed Collecting
Allow pods to dry on plant; break open to collect seeds
Regional

This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:

Saint Paul, Minnesota

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Gardener's Notes:

0
positive
1
neutral
0
negative
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T
St. John's, NL (Zone 5b) | January 2005 | neutral

I've had this species in my garden for over 10 years...that's long-lived in the penstemon world. Considering this species is native to t...Read More

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