I'm not absolutely certain (would be good to see flower close-up to see shape of anthers, whether or not staminode is bearded, etc.) but I'd suggest comparing to Penstemon serrulatus.
It's growing at 4200 feet altitude in full sun on a rocky, east-facing hillside where there is a lot of water until late Summer. There are no trees. It's over a foot tall there, but in my garden, it only gets about 8 inches tall. This is unusual, since plants normally get bigger in the garden than in nature. Maybe it's because I am growing them a little dry in the garden. My garden is at 600 feet altitude. The flowers are a beautiful blue.
The plants are getting very big, much bigger than in nature, and the stems are sprawling horizontally, which they do not do in nature. Also, the flower color seems much more violet this year. Disregard the white flower petals. My black locust trees are dropping their spent blossoms all over the garden, by the millions.
Still looking good Gene, handsome flowers, interesting to see the difference from plants growing in the wild and characteristics when under cultivation. I lost my plants last year, got crowded out by neighboring shrubs.
Comments
Lori S. (not verified)
Re: Penstemon growing in Cascade Mts. east of Salem, OR
Sat, 02/02/2013 - 10:44amI'm not absolutely certain (would be good to see flower close-up to see shape of anthers, whether or not staminode is bearded, etc.) but I'd suggest comparing to Penstemon serrulatus.
http://www.google.ca/search?q=penstemon+serrulatus&hl=en&tbo=d&rls=com.m...
Gene Mirro (not verified)
Re: Penstemon growing in Cascade Mts. east of Salem, OR
Sat, 02/02/2013 - 11:49amThat sounds like a good match. I'll try to get some close-up photos this Spring.
Trond Hoy
Re: Penstemon growing in Cascade Mts. east of Salem, OR
Sun, 02/03/2013 - 12:18amWhatever the name, that is a pretty plant! You say it is growing in moist conditions? In a sort of woodland?
Mark McDonough
Re: Penstemon growing in Cascade Mts. east of Salem, OR
Sun, 02/03/2013 - 7:04amLori, I second your ID as Penstemon serrulatus.
Gene, that's a very attractive plant.
Gene Mirro (not verified)
Re: Penstemon growing in Cascade Mts. east of Salem, OR
Sun, 02/03/2013 - 9:29amIt's growing at 4200 feet altitude in full sun on a rocky, east-facing hillside where there is a lot of water until late Summer. There are no trees. It's over a foot tall there, but in my garden, it only gets about 8 inches tall. This is unusual, since plants normally get bigger in the garden than in nature. Maybe it's because I am growing them a little dry in the garden. My garden is at 600 feet altitude. The flowers are a beautiful blue.
Trond Hoy
Re: Penstemon growing in Cascade Mts. east of Salem, OR
Mon, 02/04/2013 - 3:27amThank you. Does this species always have blue flowers?
Gene Mirro (not verified)
Re: Penstemon growing in Cascade Mts. east of Salem, OR
Tue, 06/04/2013 - 11:44pmThis is what they look like today in my garden:
[attachthumb = 1]
[attachthumb = 2]
The plants are getting very big, much bigger than in nature, and the stems are sprawling horizontally, which they do not do in nature. Also, the flower color seems much more violet this year. Disregard the white flower petals. My black locust trees are dropping their spent blossoms all over the garden, by the millions.
Mark McDonough
Re: Penstemon growing in Cascade Mts. east of Salem, OR
Wed, 06/05/2013 - 6:56amStill looking good Gene, handsome flowers, interesting to see the difference from plants growing in the wild and characteristics when under cultivation. I lost my plants last year, got crowded out by neighboring shrubs.
Gene Mirro (not verified)
Re: Penstemon growing in Cascade Mts. east of Salem, OR
Wed, 06/05/2013 - 8:04amSo does everybody agree that it's Penstemon serrulatus?