Sand Penstemon
Penstemon arenicola
- Native to:
- United States
Jared Shorma https://www.inaturalist.org/people/blazeclaw (www.inaturalist.org)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Plantaginaceae
- Genus:
- Penstemon
- Species:
- Penstemon arenicola
- USDA Symbol:
- PEAR
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 30 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- may,jun,jul
- Bloom Colors:
- blue, purple, lavender
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, butterflies, hummingbirds
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts from root crown following fire; adapted to periodic disturbance in sagebrush steppe and sand dune ecosystems.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- native to sandy desert regions
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–90 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–42 days
- Notes:
- Cold stratification improves germination rates. Seeds require light for germination.
Pre-treatment: Cold stratification for 4 months at 3 ±2° C or treatment with 1mM GA3 on un-stratified seeds
Establishment: Further testing with different GA3 concentrations and durations of exposure are needed to determine if GA3 treatment is an effective means of dormancy relief for P. arenicola. Optimal germination likely requires a cold stratification duration of > 4 months.
Source: npn.rngr.net
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Repeated cycles of 4C then 20C, 3 months each. Very prolonged.