Joy Creek Nursery

061-091   Penstemon smallii     ( Small's penstemon )

Penstemon smallii
Joy Creek Photo Archive (c) all rights reserved
Small's penstemon is one of a limited number of penstemons that are not native to the western part of North America. Although it comes from mountainous slopes in Tennessee, North Carolina and northern Alabama, this hardy perennial has made itself at home in our garden here in Oregon. Penstemon smallii has pronounced veining in its midgreen leaves. The veins are often tinged with purple on the basal foliage. The underside of the leaves is often red purple. All leaves have toothed margins and can measure from 2 to 5 inches in length. The tubular flowers appear in cymes at the upper leaf axils of the stems. They occur in sets of 4 or 5 opening in sequence. Individual flowers have broad lower lips that are thrust out well beyond the upper, overhanging lip. The lower, 3-lobed lip has clear guidelines of pale lilac to attract insects into the flower nectaries. On the outside, the flowers are a dark lilac.

June, July.  18-24 in. x 12-24 in.

Rose to Lilac Pink flowers

Sun, Part Shade     Zones 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
 



20300 NW Watson Road  Scappoose, OR 97056
(503) 543-7474    (503) 543-6933 (FAX)
catalogue@joycreek.com