Pass by any landscape which has firecracker penstemon (Penstemon eatonii) and you can’t help but be attracted by its brilliant orange-red blooms. Native to arid areas of the American Southwest, this low-maintenance continuing brings a welcome splash of colour to brighten a winter landscape.
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Botanical name: Penstemon eatonii
Common title: Firecracker penstemon
Resource: Native to arid areas of the American Southwest
USDA zones: 5 to 9 (find your zone)
Water requirement: Low
Light requirement: Full sun
Mature size: 1 to 2 feet wide and two feet tall when in blossom
Benefits and tolerances: Drought tolerant but does best with supplemental watering; attracts hummingbirds
Seasonal interest: Orange-red flowers appear in winter and continue through late spring; in warmer climates it will bloom during the summer.
When to plant: Plant seeds or bark plants in fall.
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Distinguishing attributes. Plant firecracker penstemon and you’ll have gorgeous flowers, winter colour and flexibility with little maintenance.
Who would not wish to put in a perennial that gives much-needed colour to a winter scene? Especially when there’s not much else in blossom. Another bonus is the vibrant orange-red blossoms will continue through spring. In cooler climates flowers appear during the hot months of summer.
Don’t allow this colorful perennial’s delicate appearance fool you; it isn’t fussy. It needs no fertilizer and needs pruning just once annually to remove spent flowering spikes.
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How to utilize it. Plant it alongside angelita daisy (Tetraneuris acaulis),brittlebush (Encelia farinosa) or damiantia (Chrysactinia mexicana),whose yellowish color will contrast well with the bright orange-red blossoms. The delicate white blossoms of Blackfoot daisy (Melampodium leucanthum) make a wonderful pairing.
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Firecracker penstemon may be utilised in many distinct ways from the landscape. Plant it along a desert wash, around trees, either by a swimming pool or along paths. It seem greats planted by a large boulder. The seeds of the versatile perennial may also be utilised in the combination for a wildflower garden.
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Planting notes. Penstemon can be easily grown from seed or bought in the nursery in a container. Be sure to plant it in well-drained soil. Water established plants once a week in the summer and every other week during cooler months.
