I love this native plant, Penstemon tenuis, it is a lovely perennial that blooms early in the Spring, and can take the cold.
This winter we got down to 19 degrees, and it stayed below freezing for 48 hours.
You could see the leaves being transparent from the freeze, but when it thawed out it didnt skip a beat,
it was not hurt at all.
Blooming now;
A clump of Penstemon tenuis.
Beautiful, Josephine!
The little plant in early Spring, and a link to the plant files.
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/55963/index.html
Thank you Trunnels, I really love this plant.
Those sure are pretty.
Josephine, is the penstemon in your garden? It's very pretty. I've seen somethings that looks similar in flower shape, but pink instead of purple. Couldn't stop to get a closer view.
Yes it is in my garden, and I have quite a few of them, they really look good with the Prairie Primrose.
Can't beat 'em, in my opinion, for the "perfect" spring flower color!
Debbie
PS--I'm real partial to purple flowers! Does it show?
:)
This message was edited Apr 5, 2006 7:17 PM
Josephine, my penstemons have just started blooming. When they are finished, does the foliage die back? Would you want to have other things planted in and around them to "cover" the foliage for the rest of the year?
No, the foliage doesn't die back, they make seed and it looks rather attractive, but if you don't like the seedpods you can cut those back and just leave the rosette of leaves which really look nice all year.
Thanks Josephine. I planted some in a pot, and I'll be happy with just foliage if it's nice rosettes, not just dead or dead-looking stuff. I still have to find a permanent home for the rest of it (I have ended up with the gift of LOTS of it, but it's very pretty, so I was glad to get it.).
I'm new to this forum and so glad I found this thread. That is just lovely and thank you for sharing it. I'm looking for evergreen perennials and love purple also. Do you have any idea if they carry this in local nurseries or how it is propagated? Susan
They do carry it at some of the native plant nurseries, Redenta's Garden is a good one. It is propagated by seed, and it is not hard to germinate.
If you cannot find the plants, may be I can give you some seed and you can try your luck with it.
Please let me know, and welcome to the forum, we are a busy bunch, and have a lot of fun talking about our plants, and sharing what we can.
Josephine.
I second that welcome, Susan!
Thanks for the warm welcome! Thanks also for the offer of seed. I'll check the nursery down the street (used to be Redenta's now Petal Pushers). If I can't find it I may come begging (or sharing). Thanks again. Susan
You are welcome, do let me know one way or the other.
Josephine.
I've got 2 of these that I got from Josephine last year. They were tiny and grew slow and just basically sat there. Then suddenly BOOM and one of them is huge and blooming! The other one isn't as big but it is blooming. I moved it to give it more space so it might do better now. They are very sweet!
Josephine, how long will they bloom?
Hello Paige, they bloom for about a month and they will bloom again next year.
I am glad you are enjoying them. I have these by my bedroom window.
I had hoped they would bloom longer. Do you cut them back after they bloom?
I put them in the front of my bed when I planted them because they were little but I didn't realize they were going to get so big. I need to move the larger one further back. I guess I can do that after they bloom.
You can cut them back unless you want to get some seed, the seed stems look really neat too. Sometimes when they are cut back they put out out a second small bloom.
Ohsusanna, is Cedar Hill just north of Austin? Maybe that's Cedar something else I'm thinking of. I expect to have a bunch of seedlings soon to take to the RU in College Station. Can you get there?
Mary Lee
Oh how do I love that little clump ... and the flowers! I would love to plant that in the front of my Place. Actually I would love to plant all my natives out front. Josephine maybe a little inservice on how to move them? :)
Sylvia
Sylvia, do you need some Brazos penstemon? I will be glad to bring some for you to the r.u. If you want to trasplant your natives, that is best done in the Fall.
Maybe when the right time comes, Frank and I will be able to come and help you with it, is that a deal?
Josephine.
Josephine, I'm so glad you shared this with us. I found a really nice specimen at Petal Pusher's Garden Emporium in Cedar Hill! I was so excited to find it and I'll plan to harvest seed and start some seedlings.
Mary Lee, Cedar Hill is just south of Dallas, but close to Arlington. I won't be able to get to the RU but sure wish I could. Since I can't leave town, I'll try to get over to the Veteran's Park Native Plant sale that Saturday. I'm new to DG so didn't know in time to get it on my calendar this year, but I'll plan to make it next year. Seems like there are an awful lot of really nice people on this forum and I'm learning a lot.
Susan
Susan, I am so glad you will be going to the Veterans Park plant sale!
Be sure to check out the Wildscape while you are there, I think you will enjoy it.
Native Plants are so much fun! and there is the double reward of knowing that you are contributing to their being preserved for other generations to see and enjoy.
Josephine.
Oh Josephine, I would love for you and Frank to come over so you can see what I am doing if nothing else. And yes I would love some Brazos penstoman! Thanks
sylvia
