Gardening with Gary

Gardening Advice from an Expert

Penstemmon

Q. I seem to recall talking to my nurseryman about the penstemmon. I am looking for a big showy perennial to use in my south facing landscape. I recall him telling me that the different colors (purple, red, and ?? pink I think) grew to different sizes. Does this sound right? I am in Coastal Southern California.

A. You are correct. There are over 350 species of them, including tall varieties which grow great up against a wall or fence for background, down to the dwarf strains which are beautiful as small border plants.

The pink ones I have found in catalogs and books vary from mainly a top height of 26", violet-pink to near blue at 18", red up to 3', reddish purple to violet around 12", but up to 24", a blue at 18", a cherry at 4' [wow!]

But I also found a pink topping at 4' and a rose-red California native at 6-12". I would say, look around and pick out the colors and heights that you desire because there is obviously a wide selection available to the gardener now.