Penstemon are North American natives that should be grown more in our gardens. Penstemon procerus, the small-flowered Penstemon is a perfect choice for the rock garden or trough garden depending on the variety grown. Plants are under 1 ft (30 cm) tall, and some like the one pictured is less than 6″ (15 cm) tall in flower.
The pictured plant was grown from seed labeled Penstemon procerus var procerus, which is one of the taller varieties (>6″, > 15 cm). The plant in the picture flowers at less than 6″ (15 cm) (too short for variety procerus) and has too many flower clusters to be one of the shorter varieties. For these reasons the plant is labeled just Penstemon procerus with no variety name.
The plant forms a low rosette of basal leaves forming a woody base. The inflorescence rises well above the leaves. Flowers are produced in 1 to 4 clusters along the flowering stem with the largest cluster being formed at the top. This forms quite a dramatic display of color for such a small plant which is perfect for the trough garden.
Penstemon procerus
(PEN-stem-on PRO-cer-us)
Life Cycle: perennial
Height: flower are 15 cm (6in), leaves are 5 cm (2in)
Bloom Time: late spring
Natural Range: east coast of North America at various higher elevations
Habitat: rocky slopes, subalpine and alpine
Synonyms: Penstemon confertus var. caeruleopurpureus = Penstemon procerus var. procerus
Cultivation of Penstemon procerus:
Light: full sun
Soil: good drainage
Water: keep on the dry side
USDA Hardiness Zone: 3 – 8
Propagation: seed, division in fall
