Plant Highlights

Penstemon palmeri or Palmer's Penstemon is a drought-tolerant perennial plant, preferring well draining drier soils. It is found native to desert mountains from the eastern Mojave Desert in California, to eastern Nevada, northeastern Arizona, and New Mexico. It grows erect and may reach 6 feet in maximum height. The showy, rounded flower has large pink to violet to blue-purple petals.

It looks good in the back of a border or as a focal point, perhaps near a path where its fragrance can be enjoyed or in an informal grouping with other native penstemons and grasses, or with other plants that have similar maintenance and water requirements. Provide full sun and lean, sandy, well-drained soil. Plant with the crown an inch or two above the soil surface. It will not tolerate extra water, fertilizer, or mulch. Deadhead to maintain a tidy appearance.