Davidsons Penstemon in the Landscape
Diane Jones, Draggin' Wing Farm, Water-thrifty Plants for Idaho
Scientfic Name: Penstemon davidsoni var. davidsoniiCommon Name: Davidson's Penstemon
Description: Attractive dark green foliage on low-growing woody sub-shrub makes this penstemon a valuable groundcover. With a little protection from the winter sun, the foliage is completely evergreen. As a bonus, the plant produces a beautiful display of lavender tubular flowers in late spring or early summer.
Native Habitat: Grows in dry, rocky outcroppings at higher elevations in Eastern Oregon, Washington, Nevada and California.
Cultural Requirement
Soil: Sandy, rocky or ordinary garden soil.
Moisture Tolerance: Low to moderate water requirement.
Sun/Shade/Preference: Full sun or part shade.
Transplanting: Easy from containers.
Propagation: Seed or cuttings.
Maintenance (pruning, fertilization, deadheading, division, irrigation, etc): None needed, except possible removal of spent flower heads in summer.
Insect, disease, or other problems: None of concern.
Landscape Value
Use in the Landscape: Excellent low foundation plant, great for rock gardens.
Foliage: Leathery, somewhat serrated dark green leaves on woody branches.
Flower: Medium to large lavender, tubular.
Timing: May-June.
Color: Lavender.
Form: Spreading mound.
Texture: Leathery, dense.
Ultimate Size: 8"-10" tall x 12' 24' wide.
Rate of Growth: Moderate growth with supplemental water.
Suggested Plant Partners: Woolly Sunflower, Cutleaf Daisy, Pussytoes.
Availability: Available at specialty nurseries.
Cultivars: Two other varieties, praeteritus and menziesii are much smaller and slower growing
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