Venus Penstemon
Penstemon venustus
- Native to:
- United States
Unknown author Unknown author
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Plantaginaceae
- Genus:
- Penstemon
- Species:
- Penstemon venustus
- USDA Symbol:
- PEVE2
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb , Shrub , Subshrub
- Height:
- 80 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- may,jun,jul
- Bloom Colors:
- purple, lavender, blue
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; often increases in abundance in post-fire environments.
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
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–90 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–60 days
- Notes:
- Cold stratification improves germination rates. Seeds may germinate erratically over several weeks.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
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
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Sow @ 4C for 3 months, then place @ 20C for 3 months. Requires light / surface sow (fine seed).