PENSTEMON SMALLII

Description

Purple-lilac flowers with violet-striped white throats, and unusually pronounced splayed and pointed lips, open on one of the showiest of all penstemons. This rare plant is rich-flowering, and will self-sow in naturalized conditions, making it perfect for planting on well-drained soils and hillsides. As with all penstemons, butterflies and bees are regular visitors. In the wild it is native to the rocky slopes of the Great Smoky Mountains. And contrary to its name, the gorgeous flowers are definitely not small....but it was originally discovered by a Mr. Small!

Sowing Advice

For best results, sow immediately onto a good soil-based compost. Cover the seeds with fine grit or compost to approximately their own depth. They can be sown at any time, and germination can sometimes be quicker if kept at 15 to 20 degrees C. We sow most seeds in an unheated greenhouse and wait for natural germination, as many seeds have built-in dormancy mechanisms, often waiting for natural spring germination, hence giving them a full season of growth.

Key Facts