Find help and information on penstemon eatonii eatons firecracker, including varieties and pruning advice. As early as november, her firecracker penstemon begins to bloom in her lowdesert garden. This perennials striking feature is its scarlet flowers. Firecracker penstemon monrovia firecracker penstemon. The plant has attractive evergreen foliage and is a good species for naturalizing in harsh growing conditions. Growing penstemon penstemon eatonii is native to the western states of the united states. Known botanically as penstemon eatonii, this wildflower is sometimes called eaton penstemon, eaton beardtongue or scarlet bugler. This plant is a member of the penstemon and plantain family plantaginaceae. How to grow penstemon in phoenix phoenix gardening. In california it is found primarily in high desert areas. Oct 02, 2009 firecracker penstemon penstemon eatonii is my favorite plant.
Where shoots are growing from the base, cut out all the old stems close to the bottom. A couple of summer waterings will help it stay evergreen in late summer. This popular species is native to hot, dry conditions of the s. In my home garden, penstemon eatonii is easier to grow than our local sf bay area penstemon centranthifolius. Gardening in tucson, phoenix, arizona and california. Browse pictures and read growth cultivation information about penstemon species, beard tongue, eatons penstemon, firecracker penstemon, pride of the mountain penstemon eatonii supplied by memb. A conservation plant release by usda nrcs aberdeen plant materials center, aberdeen, idaho. Plants profile for penstemon eatonii exsertus firecracker. After spreading the seed, we recommend compressing the seed into the soil. Mix the wildflower seeds with sand for better visibility. Firecracker penstemon is a spring to early summer blooming.
Most of the species are droughttolerant, but hybrids may require frequent watering. This penstemon is similar to scarlet burglar but more cold tolerant. Firecracker penstemon penstemon eatonii this showy drought tolerant perennial is native to the mountains of the desert southwest. This penstemon is a cute little perennial to add into a rock garden or border planting. Penstemon eatonii is a species of penstemon known by the common name firecracker penstemon. Toolush growing conditions can cause the flowering stalks to fall over lodge, and may shorten the life of the plant culture. These plants need welldrained soil and partial to full sun. Firecracker penstemon seeds are usually dormant at maturity, though the degree of dormancy varies with habitat. Penstemon, firecracker penstemon eatonii wildflower seeds. Firecracker penstemon is chiefly used as a forb component for restoration and wildlife.
Penstemon eatonii is a widespread species native to the western u. Firecracker beardtongue penstemon eatonii richfield strain high. A reliable performer even in tough, rocky, dry situations. Other common names eatons firecracker family plantaginaceae. It grows in many types of desert, woodland, forest, and open plateau habitat. Hummingbirds arrive soon afterward and sip the nectar inside each trumpetshaped blossom. Firecracker penstemon inland valley garden planner. Sunset 12 and usda 911 arid zones only landscape use. Penstemon eatonii is a species in the plantaginaceae plantain family known by the common name eatons firecracker. It flowers for an extended period and attracts hummingbirds in droves. Penstemon eatonii eatons firecracker care plant varieties. This showy drought tolerant perennial is native to the mountains of the desert southwest.
The flower clusters are denser and the leaves are rounder and less gray. Choose a spot on your property that receives at least 6 hours of sun per day. The brilliant, scarletred flowers bloom in early summer. Penstemon eatonii, a dicot, is a perennial herb that is native to california, is also found outside of california, but is confined to western north america. Penstemon eatonii, firecracker beardtongue, shrub, san marcos growers. Penstemon, beard tongue, eatons penstemon, firecracker. Firecracker penstemon in hot, dry climates and arizona and california. In midspring, check plants for new shoots at the base or along the stems.
Long, narrow scarlet flowers borne on numerous 2 ft. Penstemon with few or no shoots growing from ground level should only have their stems shortened, making the cuts just above the lowest set of healthy leaves. Click below on a thumbnail map or name for subspecies profiles. It is native to the western united states from california to the rocky mountains, where it grows in many types of desert, woodland, forest, and open plateau habitat. Posted by marilyn northern ky zone 6a on may 30, 20 12. Penstemon eatonii archives ramblings from a desert garden. Firecracker penstemon is naturally suited to southwestern style landscape continue reading firecracker penstemon. The plant has spikes of clustered, tubular, scarlet red blossoms with yellow hairs on their lower lip which is what inspires the common beard name to the flower. Firecracker beardtongue penstemon eatonii is a widespread native species in the western u.
Drought tolerant, found on dry slopes and flats in sagebrush, pinyonjuniper, mountain mahogany and ponderosa pine plant communities. Prepare your soil by clearing the area of all existing growth. Most require1016 weeks of moist chilling to become germinable, and germinate in chilling. Firecracker penstemon is a fine choice for the garden, but it is also a good selection for planting in outdoor pots and containers. Toolush growing conditions can cause the flowering stalks to fall over lodge.
Richfield selection firecracker penstemon penstemon eatonii is a selected class germplasm release. The brilliant red tubular flowers clustered along one side of tall stalks with shiny, leathery leaves are loved by hummingbirds. It grow best on well drained soils, in full sun and with low amounts of supplemental water during summer. A native of california and the southwest, with brilliant red hummingbirdmagnet flowers and large, leathery evergreen leaves. Firecracker penstemon penstemon eatonii is my favorite plant. Penstemon eatonii lady bird johnson wildflower center.
Smart tips to prune penstemon plants for enhanced growth. Richfield firecracker penstemon is a prevariety selected class conservation plant released in 1994. Growing penstemon is straightforward, as they are extremely resilient when well matched to their planting site, and are excellent naturalizing plants when encouraged to reseed themselves. Winter color accent, landscape edging and border, desert flower gardens. The plants database includes the following 3 subspecies of penstemon eatonii. It is native to the western united states, from southern california to the rocky mountains. Penstemon eatonii firecracker beardtongue an evergreen perennial subshrub to 2 feet tall by about the same width when in flower with large paired lanceolate leathery leaves and vivid scarletred tubular flowers that rise above the foliage in late winter through spring. Sandys nursery online firecracker red russelia equisetiformis, fountainbush, lot of 2, starter plants 5. Richfield selection firecracker penstemon derek tilley, aberdeen pmc alternate names. Firecracker beardtongue penstemon eatonii high country. Unlike most desert natives this will tolerate some shade. Firecracker penstemon flagstaff native plant and seed.
With its upright habit of growth, it is best suited for use as a thriller in the spillerthrillerfiller container combination. And last but not least, penstemon s nectarrich flowers are indispensable to pollinators like bumblebees and hummingbirds. Penstemon how to grow and care for beardtongue plants. Native evergreen, shrubs, shrubs the firecracker penstemon also known as penstemon eatonii is an native evergreen in the shrubs class and part of our shrubs department. Grown easily from seed, firecracker penstemon reaches a mature size of. Firecracker beardtongue penstemon eatonii high country gardens. Firecracker penstemon penstemon eatonii in the penstemons. There is so much to love about this beautiful perennial. Penstemon eatonii firecracker beardtongue plant information. Penstemon plants are perennials that grow well in usda zones 4 to 9. Plants profile for penstemon eatonii firecracker penstemon.
Learn more about monrovia plants and best practices for best possible plant performance. Pictures and description of penstemon eatonii, firecracker penstemon. To extend the lifespan the plant, deadhead the flower spikes when flowering is done. Mar 06, 2018 firecracker penstemon penstemon eatonii every winter season, swgs noelle johnson awaits the appearance of the first flowers of her penstemon. Penstemon eatonii was introduced to idaho when the idaho highway department started using it for road side plantings, and now can be found in areas where it was not originally native from. Firecracker penstemon penstemon eatonii firecracker penstemon is a member of a large group of plants composed of many wild species found growing in a variety of climates, as well as numerous hybrids that have been developed for a wide range of characteristics. Penstemon eatonii, firecracker penstemon las pilitas nursery. Gray firecracker penstemon, firecracker beardtongue, eatons penstemon, eatons beardtongue scrophulariaceae figwort family synonyms. Penstemons were formerly assigned to the figwort family scrophulariaceae. Eatons beardtongue, scarletbugler penstemon, penstemon eatonii.
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