Ethnobotany

1. Southern Foothill Penstemon – Penstemon heterophyllus ssp. australus
(PEN-ste-mon het-er-oh-FIL-us aw-STRAY-lis)
Family: Veronicaceae/ Scrophulariaceae (Veronica Family)
Native to: Coastal California from central coast to San Diego; on dry slopes and grassy areas in
chaparral, southern oak woodlands.
Growth characteristics: clumping herbaceous perennial mature height: 1-2 ft. mature width: 2-3 ft.
Mat-like perennial with clusters of leaves as basal rosette (typical of penstemons). Evergreen with
flowering stalks above foliage. Long-lived (30 years or more).
Blooms/fruits: Blooms April to July or August – long bloom period. Flowers on tall (2-4 ft), leafy
stalks above foliage. Flowers color ranges from violet to blue depending variety, light, soils and
water. Hundreds of blooms – very showy.
Uses in the garden: Lovely and versatile in many summer-dry locations. Showy vertical accent
paired w/ yellow and white-flowered natives like golden Eriophyllums and orange Mimulus. Excellent
in rock gardens, dry garden containers and even well-drained (no clay) garden beds. Good in sunny
borders, or on dry, rocky slopes or hillsides. Plant where you can enjoy the flowers & wildlife.
Cultivars include: ‘Blue Gem’ & 'Electric Blue’ (compact); 'Blue Springs', ‘True Blue’ (electric blue
flowers); 'Heavenly Blue' & ‘Zurich Blue’ (violet to light blue); 'Margarita BOP' (hybrid with P.
laetus; hardy and very showy).
Sensible substitute for: Non-native penstemons, delphiniums, hollyhocks.
Attracts: Good nectar source for hummingbirds and other native pollinators. Seeds are eaten by
songbirds and foliage provides some cover from predators.
Requirements:
Element Requirement
Sun Full sun (best) to part shade
Soil Sandy or rocky-gravelly best; well-drained; somewhat alkali tolerant
Water Summer dry; require a summer dormant period. Consider using dry containers in
gardens receiving regular summer water.
Fertilizer none
Other Gravel or very thin organic mulch.
Management: Plants thrive under dry conditions. Cut back after first bloom to promote a second
flowering. Will be long-lived in dry gardens.
Propagation: from seed: easy from fresh seed in pots or directly on bare soil in spring.
by cuttings: easy from divisions (winter/spring) or softwood cuttings.
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 1, 14; cultivars -many sources 12/12/10
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