The Penstemon alamosensis, grown from Alplains seed last year, have wintered over nicely, and I'm looking forward to the possibility, at least, of them blooming this year. It seems that quite a large range of penstemon species is impressively hardy, growable, and even long-lived, in these dry, low humidity prairie conditions.
Here's some info on this particular species:
http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=PEAL10
http://www.highcountrygardens.com/catalog/product/75710/
http://nmrareplants.unm.edu/rarelist_single.php?SpeciesID=129
It must be wonderful to see it in the wild!
Comments
Re: Penstemon alamosensis
Your alamosensis look glorious. It is truly amazing they grow so well for you considering this is a very rare plant restricted to a very small area in southern New Mexico. I have seen palm trees growing beautifully not far from where this grows, which tells you that extreme cold is rare here. Although there has to be gene flow in penstemons: many Mexican species have survived Denver through temps they would never see at home.
Re: Penstemon alamosensis
Another nice one to be added, to my ever growing wish list.
Goodness knows they (Penstemon in general) DON'T like 60 inches of rain per year! I love this genus but they don't love Newfoundland. Only the dasystemon types seem to do OK here in the big scheme.