Wasatch Beardtongue
Penstemon cyananthus
- Native to:
- United States
Andrey Zharkikh (www.flickr.com) from Salt Lake City, USA
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Plantaginaceae
- Genus:
- Penstemon
- Species:
- Penstemon cyananthus
- USDA Symbol:
- PECY2
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 80 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- may,jun,jul
- Bloom Colors:
- blue, violet
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Stenoptilodes albida, Stenoptilodes fragilis
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 fire-maintained sagebrush and mountain brush communities.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- well-drained, rocky or sandy soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- prefers open, sunny locations
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–90 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Cold stratification improves germination rates. Seeds require light for germination.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Seeds are placed in cold moist stratification for a period of at least 16 weeks at 2-4 Celsius. Seeds are stored dry in 2-4 Celsius for 3 months prior to propagation trial.
Establishment: Germination rate may increase with a longer chill time or with the use of a longer after ripening stage. Conflicting information on optimal stratification period, with one protocol suggesting 112 days and another suggesting at least 16 weeks.
Source: npn.rngr.net
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Sow @ 4C.