Davidsons Penstemon in the Landscape

Diane Jones, Draggin' Wing Farm, Water-thrifty Plants for Idaho

Scientfic Name:  Penstemon davidsoni var. davidsonii
Common Name:  Davidson's Penstemon

Description:  Attractive dark green foliage on low-growing woody sub-shrub makes this penstemon a valuable groundcover. With a little protection from the winter sun, the foliage is completely evergreen. As a bonus, the plant produces a beautiful display of lavender tubular flowers in late spring or early summer.

Native Habitat:  Grows in dry, rocky outcroppings at higher elevations in Eastern Oregon, Washington, Nevada and California.

Cultural Requirement

Soil:  Sandy, rocky or ordinary garden soil.

Moisture Tolerance:  Low to moderate water requirement.

Sun/Shade/Preference:  Full sun or part shade.

Transplanting:  Easy from containers.

Propagation:  Seed or cuttings.

Maintenance (pruning, fertilization, deadheading, division, irrigation, etc):  None needed, except possible removal of spent flower heads in summer.

Insect, disease, or other problems:  None of concern.

Landscape Value

Use in the Landscape:  Excellent low foundation plant, great for rock gardens.

Foliage:  Leathery, somewhat serrated dark green leaves on woody branches.

Flower:  Medium to large lavender, tubular.

Timing:  May-June.

Color:  Lavender.

Form:  Spreading mound.

Texture:  Leathery, dense.

Ultimate Size:  8"-10" tall x 12' 24' wide.

Rate of Growth:  Moderate growth with supplemental water.

Suggested Plant Partners:  Woolly Sunflower, Cutleaf Daisy, Pussytoes.

Availability:  Available at specialty nurseries.

Cultivars:  Two other varieties, praeteritus and menziesii are much smaller and slower growing

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