Penstemon Seeds (Heirloom)

Penstemon, popularly known as Beardtongue, is a genus of North American flowering perennials. Hummingbirds love the long green stems and vertically piled multicolored blooms of this wildflower! If you can bear not cutting all the flowers, heirloom penstemons offer a charming aesthetic addition to the landscape and attract pollinators as well. Penstemon are drought-tolerant perennials that are hardy in zones 3 through 10 and are easy to care for once established.

• Native to Mexico
• Thrives in bright, sunny growing areas
• Attracts butterflies and other pollinators
• Tall-growing heirloom with multi-colored summer blooms

All of our favorite flowers and veggies are indigenous to some part of the world, and penstemon is native to North America. These flowers, sometimes known as Beardtoungue, resemble foxgloves but are less fussy about their growth requirements. It's no surprise that humans and hummingbirds alike are drawn to these trumpet-shaped blossoms, which come in hues of pink, purple, blue, and white.

Heirloom penstemon blooms after spring bulbs and before summer flowers, so include them in your garden for early summer blossoms. Penstemon grow well in sun-lit, rich, well-draining soil. Once established, these semi-arid perennials are drought resistant and will gladly grow two to three feet tall. Heirloom penstemon makes a wonderful ground cover and, because it doesn't mind a variety of soils, is an excellent choice for preventing erosion on slopes.

Penstemon seeds can be started indoors or directly sown, although they benefit from stratification, or a period of cold exposure, before germinating. As a result, in temperate zones, plant your heirloom penstemon in the fall or chill the seed for a few months before growing them inside in late winter. Once your seedlings are in the garden, cover them to keep weeds at bay and give them approximately an inch of water every week. Except for modifying the soil at the time of planting, fertilizer should be avoided.

Plant native blooming perennials in your yard to benefit yourself and the environment! Plant heirloom penstemon with other flowering perennials like echinacea and rudbeckia, and watch as native pollinators feast on your garden throughout the season. Pollinators need food, and pollinators make your vegetable yield much more abundant. After all, it's not a bad investment.

There are three gorgeous heirloom penstemon varieties to pick from at Eden Brothers. There's an option for everyone, whether you want to create your own color palette or prefer a pre-made combination.

For more information about planting, growing, and harvesting heirloom penstemon seed, see the Penstemon Seeds Planting Guide.