Minidoka Penstemon in the Landscape

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

Scientfic Name:  Penstemon perpulcher
Common Name:  Minidoka Penstemon

Description:  Bright blue flowers on upright stalks over attractive clumps of narrow green foliage.

Native Habitat:  Native to sagebrush communities in Eastern Oregon and South-central Idaho.

Cultural Requirement

Soil:  Well-drained, sandy or ordinary garden soil.

Moisture Tolerance:  Low to moderate water needs.

Sun/Shade/Preference:  Full sun.

Transplanting:  Easy.

Propagation:  Seed or cuttings.

Maintenance (pruning, fertilization, deadheading, division, irrigation, etc):  Cut back spent seed heads to encourage a second bloom in the fall.

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

Landscape Value

Use in the Landscape:  Grow for a generous burst of bloom in late spring or early summer.

Foliage:  Clump of long narrow green leaves forms the base for numerous flower spikes.

Flower:  Medium blue to blue-lavender tubular flowers.

Timing:  May-June.

Color:  Blue/Lavender.

Form:  Loose clump of basal leaves; woody flower stalks overhead

Ultimate Size:  12-18 x 12-18

Rate of Growth:  Moderate growth with supplemental water.

Suggested Plant Partners:  Sagebrush, Desert Yellow Fleabane, Woolly Sunflower.

Availability:  Available at specialty nurseries.

Cultivars:  None.

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