Santa Fe Botanical Garden

Common name: PIKES PEAK PURPLE® penstemon

Family: Plantaginaceae (Plantain)

Distribution: Cultivated

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

Life form: Herbaceous perennial

Occurrence in New Mexico: Cultivar

Growing Conditions: This hardy hybrid penstemon can be grown in sun or partial sun. In general, penstemons need dry, gritty, gravelly or sandy well-drained soils. Unlike the species, this hybrid will thrive in moderately fertile soil, as long as it is well drained. Regular watering in the first year helps plants to become established and promotes abundant blooming in subsequent years. Deadhead in order to prolong bloom and increase longevity of the plant. This plant forms a bushy clump, which can be divided in spring.

Description: Mexicali penstemons are hybrids of less-hardy Mexican species that have large, showy flowers and native North American species that confer vigor and cold-hardiness. This hybrid grows 1-2 feet tall and wide. With moderate water, the plants may form bushy clumps or cascading mounds. It has narrow, lance-shaped, glossy green leaves with a toothed edge. Numerous bright violet-purple, open, trumpet-shaped flowers with white, purple-striped throats are borne on short spikes. The plants flower throughout the summer with adequate water. Plants are propagated by cuttings; seedlings may not be true to variety color.