How to Grow Palmer's Penstemon Seed

Palmer's penstemon (Penstemon palmeri), also called scented beardtongue, is a perennial wildflower native to the southwestern U.S. It grows up to 6 feet tall and has gray-green leaves with rough edges. Its fragrant blooms resemble those of a snapdragon and are produced in white and various shades of pink. Palmer's penstemon performs best in sandy soil and exposure to at least six hours of sunlight each day. Sow the seeds directly into the garden after temperatures cool in fall, as germination is increased with exposure to several weeks of cold temperatures.

Things You'll Need

• Garden fork
• Vermiculite

Instructions

1. Loosen the soil at the chosen location 6 to 8 inches deep.

2. Eliminate rocks and vegetation clumps that may interfere with germination.

3. Broadcast the Palmer's penstemon seeds over the loose soil.

4. Cover the seeds with a one-fourth inch layer of vermiculite and pat down with your hand to firm.

5. Examine the site regularly when temperatures warm in spring. Thin the seedlings, leaving a space of 12 to 18 inches between each, when they are approximately 3 inches tall.

Tips & Warnings

• There is no need to water Palmer's penstemon seeds after planting, as they will not sprout until temperatures warm in spring.

References

• Wildflower.org: Penstemon Palmeri
• "Fine Gardening": Penstemon Palmeri (Palmer's Penstemon)
• Purdue University Cooperative Extension; Growing Perennial Flowers; Michael N. Dana, et al.; September 2003