1. * Firecracker Penstemon – Penstemon eatonii
(PEN-stem-on ee-TONE-ee-eye)
Family: Veronicaceae (Penstemon Family); formerly in Scrophulariaceae
Native to: Southwestern U.S. San Bernardino and desert mountain in CA; mesas; fields; roadsides
and dry, rocky slopes in Creosote Bush Scrub, Sagebrush Scrub, Pinyon-Juniper Woodland and
Yellow Pine Forest.
herbaceous perennial
mature height: 1-3 ft.
mature width: 1-3 ft.
Tough, leathery, deep green leaves form a dense mound at the base of the plant and along flowering
stalks. The lance-shaped leaves are large (1 inch wide; to 5 inches long). Stems may be purpletinged. Short-lived (3-5 years) but spreads by reseeding. Dies back in dry season.
Growth characteristics:
Blooms primarily in early summer in S. CA (May-Aug). Flower color is a brilliant
scarlet, with 5-10 flowers arranged along flowering stems. Numerous flowering stems tower above
the foliage. Tubular red flowers are typical ‘hummingbird flowers’. Extremely showy in bloom.
Blooms/fruits:
Uses in the garden: Most often used as a flowering accent plant. Great addition to the habitat
garden (see below). Looks spectacular massed in dry mixed beds, rock or desert gardens. Great for
dry, rocky banks and other dry areas. Best planted with other summer-dry species.
Sensible substitute for: Non-native penstemons; red-flowering non-native succulents.
Great for attracting hummingbirds and large butterflies (like Swallowtails). Seed-eating
birds will eat seeds.
Attracts:
Requirements:
Element
Sun
Soil
Water
Fertilizer
Other
Requirement
Best in part-shade but quite shade tolerant. Full sun only in coolest gardens.
Must have good drainage. Best in dry, gravelly soils.
Zone 1 or 1-2 (very little summer water) best; Zone 2 will keep it green a little long,
but needs dry period. May require fall/spring supplemental water in very dry years.
none
In hot gardens benefits from an organic mulch to keep roots cool.
Not much required. Deadheading flowering stalks can promote longer bloom. Will
reseed, and may spread (via seedlings) if happy.
Management:
Propagation: from seed: enhanced by 1-2 mo. Cold treatment by divisions: Fall or spring
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 1, 3, 6, 8, 10, 11, 13
1/25/11
* CA native plant but not native to Western L.A. county
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