Santa Fe Botanical Garden

Common name: James' penstemon, James' beardtongue

Family: Plantaginaceae (Plantain)

Distribution: Central and Southwestern United States, Mexico

Habitat: Prairies, sagebrush scrub

Hardiness: USDA Zone 4 (-30 to -20 °F)

Life form: Evergreen perennial

Occurrence in New Mexico: New Mexico native plant

Growing Conditions: The native range of P. jamesii is eastern New Mexico, extreme southwest Kansas, western Texas, southeastern Colorado, south to Mexico. It is widespread on the eastern plains of our state. Penstemons need dry, gritty, gravelly or sandy well-drained soils. They are easy to grow in New Mexico and failure is almost always due to excessive moisture after flowering. They grow in soil of low organic content and are short-lived in soil that is too rich. Soil must drain quickly so that the plants’ crowns remain dry. Supplemental water in the first year helps them to become established. Although very drought tolerant, members of this penstemon section (Cristati) depend on ample spring water in order to bloom. They require minimal water after blooming, even during drought. In general, penstemons prefer dry soil in winter and some protection from intense winter sun. Like other xerophytic plants, they often die off after 1-3 years after blooming abundantly. Cutting back plants after flowering may increase longevity. A few stems can be left to promote self-seeding.

Description: This penstemon grows up to 18 inches tall, with several upright, smooth or downy stems. The leaves may be hairy and gray-green or smooth and dark green. They are either linear or lance-shaped, with smooth edges or occasionally wavy teeth, and pointed tips. The leaves are up to 5 inches long and ¾ inch wide, are paired and without stalks. Numerous large lavender-blue or pink, bell-shaped flowers are crowded onto one side of the stem (secund). The 2-lipped corolla has an upper lip with 2 lobes and a lower lip with 3 lobes, and a downy throat with purple guidelines. The lower lip is larger and has numerous long white hairs. The outside of the flower is covered with glandular hairs. The staminode (sterile stamen) extends beyond the corolla and is yellow-bearded along its entire length. The anthers are fully opened like a saucer (explanate) and are covered with wooly hairs.