Venus Penstemon
Penstemon venustus
Unknown author
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Plantaginaceae
- Genus:
- Penstemon
- Species:
- Penstemon venustus
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb , Shrub , Subshrub
- Height:
- 2-3 ft
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- may, jul
- Bloom Colors:
- Purple
Native Range
United States: California, Idaho, Oregon, Utah, Washington
Reported Fauna Sightings
Bees: Brown-belted bumble bee (Bombus griseocollis), Brown-belted bumble bee (Bombus griseocollis), Central bumble bee (Bombus centralis), Central bumble bee (Bombus centralis), Nevada bumble bee (Bombus nevadensis), Nevada bumble bee (Bombus nevadensis), Two-form bumble bee (Bombus bifarius), Two-form bumble bee (Bombus bifarius), White-shouldered bumble bee (Bombus appositus), White-shouldered bumble bee (Bombus appositus), Yellow bumble bee (Bombus fervidus), Yellow bumble bee (Bombus fervidus), Yellow head bumble bee (Bombus flavifrons), Yellow head bumble bee (Bombus flavifrons)
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- well-drained, sandy or rocky soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- native to rocky slopes and open woodlands
Germination Information
Pre-treatment: Seeds are soaked in a solution of 250 mg/L GA3 for 24 hours, rinsed, and soaked for an additional 4 hours in water. Seeds are sown into trays filled with stabilized medium plugs (Q-plugs). Trays are sealed inside plastic boxes and placed into cold stratification (1 to 3 °C) for 60 days. Trays are checked weekly and kept moist throughout the stratification period. If mold is evident, trays are treated with 1% hydrogen peroxide.
Source: npn.rngr.net