Gulf Coast Penstemon

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Penstemon tenuis
(PEN-steh-mon TEN-yoo-iss)
Gulf Coast Penstemon

Gulf Coast Penstemon, also known as Brazos Penstemon, has small, bell-shaped purple blooms on  spikes, making it a swell cut flower. This Texas native, which also is native to Arkansas, Arizonia, Louisiana and Mississippi, blooms in early spring into early summer. Blooms sometimes reappear in fall. It isn't fussy about soil, but it does require a tad more water than many other plants we sell (Its native habitat is along the Gulf Coast, though ours have done fine in North Texas.) It is evergreen except in far North Texas, though the foliage isn't anything to write home about. The plant reseeds freely, so cut off spent blooms if you don't want volunteers. The flowers are a nectar source for butterflies and hummers. The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center suggests pairing Penstemon tenuis with yellow columbine, which also likes part shade and blooms about the same time. Sounds like a winner to us.

1.5'' tall x 1' wide         Sun/part shade      Zones 7b-10      native

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$4.99, 4" Pot; See Order Form at top left of page

Photo: Charles T. Bryson, USDA