Dusty Beardtongue
Penstemon comarrhenus
- Native to:
- United States
peganum (www.flickr.com)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Plantaginaceae
- Genus:
- Penstemon
- Species:
- Penstemon comarrhenus
- USDA Symbol:
- PECO5
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 60 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- jun,jul,aug
- Bloom Colors:
- blue, lavender
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, hummingbirds, butterflies
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts from root crown following fire; common in post-fire sagebrush and mountain brush communities.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- well-drained, rocky or sandy soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 8.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- native to arid, mountainous regions
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–90 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Requires light for germination; surface sow and do not cover seeds deeply.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Seeds require a pre-treatment of 12 weeks of winter conditions at 34°F.
Establishment: The germination rate varies depending on the timing of seeding after winter conditions. Nearly 100% of viable seeds germinated when seeded in early spring after winter conditions, while around 75% germinated when seeded in mid-spring after winter, and only 25% when seeded in late spring after winter. Further research is needed to confirm the specific length of winter conditions needed to break dormancy and allow germination.
Source: npn.rngr.net
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Most interbreed and seed may not be what is labelled; germinates best with stored seed, even as long as 10 years at 20°