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Penstemon cardinalis ssp. cardinalis |
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| | A few days before the flowers open, striking smooth red buds |
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| Common name |
scarlet penstemon; pride of the mountain |
| Family |
plantaginaceae |
| Life cycle |
perennial (Z5-10) |
| Flowers |
red |
| Size |
15-27" |
| Light |
sun |
| Cultural notes |
well-drained soil; drought-tolerant |
From seed  |
Provide a few months cold, then germinate at room temperature with exposure to light.
detailed seed-starting info below
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Endemic to the Guadalupe Mountains of New Mexico, where it is found on mountainsides at elevations of 4500-6000 ft, associated with evergreen populations. Ruby-red flowers appear in pairs on one side of the upright stems, and are reportedly attractive to hummingbirds. Even the stems are a dark reddish color, while the evergreen rosette is composed of deep green leaves. Another one that may be difficult to keep alive around here, but so far I got a couple plants to live through a winter, enough to see the striking flowers.
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| | Seedlings are healthy, but non-descript |
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We left this plant behind in our Pennsylvania garden (and wish it well); we don't grow it in Houston. Read about other penstemons in our garden Seed for this plant is included on my seed trade list About my plant portraits
PlantLinks to other web pages about Penstemon cardinalis ssp. cardinalis
- Seed from Alplains Jan '13 order. Baggy 35F (10w; 2%G, 9w) - 70F with light (65%G, 3-20d)
- Same seed as above, cold-stored. Baggy 35F (10w; 20%G, 7-10w) - 70F with light (22%G, 3-14d)
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