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Bridges Penstemon - Penstemon rostriflorus 'Bridges'
Description
"First time summer visitors to the Rockies are often struck by the abundance of scarlet tubular flowers everywhere you look in the high meadows. One often sees hummingbirds darting from scarlet gilia to penstemons in the summer months, always a highlight for the observant visitor. Many of these mountain plants adapt well to the Xeriscape or border in your home garden. Three scarlet penstemons span the summer season: the sharkshead penstemon (Penstemon barbatus) often starts blooming in late May, and tubular Eaton’s penstemon (Penstemon eatonii) carries the show into July. But the longest bloomer, and longest lived of the scarlet penstemons may only start to bloom later that month. Bridges’ penstemon flowers throughout much of the American southwest from Colorado to California. It forms an attractive, somewhat shrubby mound of narrow green foliage with stems 2-3″ in height with a succession of brilliant orange-red flowers from late July all the way to October most years." (plantselect.org)
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Compact Pineleaf Penstemon - Pestemon pinifolius 'Compactum'
Description
"A species of Beard-tongue native to the Southwestern USA, this grows well in most regions except for the humid South. It forms a low, bushy mound with green leaves that resemble pine needles. Tubular flame-orange flowers appear in early to midsummer, and are a magnet for hummingbirds. Because this plant is woody at the base, prune no lower than 4 inches in spring. Gorgeous in a rock garden or dry border, and looks particularly good with a mulch of gravel beneath. Evergreen in mild winter regions. Very drought tolerant once established. Well worth trying in Zones 3 or below." (perennials.com)
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Red Rocks Penstemon - Penstemon baratus x meicali 'Red Rocks'
Description
"Tall, showy spikes of bright rose-red flowers rise above mounded dark green foliage throughout summer. This adaptable native hybrid thrives in a wide range of soils and conditions. Makes a colorful impact in sunny borders, meadows and naturalized gardens. A Plant Select® winner. An herbaceous perennial." (monrovia.com)
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Scarlet Bugler Penstemon - Penstemon barbatus
Description
"Penstemon barbatus is very common throughout the lower elevations of the Four Corners area, and it is abundant in Mesa Verde National Park. This is a very tall and lanky Penstemon, often growing to four or five feet with an abundance of flowers opening over many weeks. Stem leaves are long, narrow, and widely spaced.
For a very similar species that is also abundant in the Four Corners, see Penstemon rostriflorus. Although the flowers of the two species are somewhat similar, the forms are quite different: P. barbatus is tall, lanky, and airy whereas P. rostriflorus is much shorter and crowded. Also, P. barbatus blooms in June and July and is flexible and herbaceous throughout. P. rostriflorus blooms from late June into October and is quite woody at its base. And most unusual for any of our local Penstemons, P. rostriflorus is commonly evergreen.
Penstemon barbatus was named by Albrecht Roth in 1846 from a collection made in Mexico.
"Barbatus" is Latin for "hairy" or "bearded" and refers to the hairy flower throat of variety barbatus." (swcoloradowildflowers.com)
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Desert (Beardtongue) Penstemon - Penstemon pseudospectabilis
(Rosy Desert Beardtongue, Pink Showy Penstemon and Arizona Penstemon)
(behind the orchard bench, on art trail and in front of the pavillion)
Description
"Penstemon pseudospectabilis is a species in the Plantaginaceae (Plantain) family known by the common name Desert Beardtongue or Desert Penstemon. It is native to the southwestern United States, where it grows in desert and plateau habitat types, such as sandy washes, scrub, and woodland. In California it is found primarily in the Mojave Desert. The plant is generally a shrub growing to a maximum height of one meter, with many erect stems. The thin leaves are roughly oval with wide pointed tips and serrated edges. They are arranged oppositely in pairs and many pairs are completely fused at the bases about the stem, forming a disc. The flower cluster bears tubular flowers with expanded, lobed mouths and hairy hairs on most surfaces, except the hairless staminode. The flower may be up to 2.5 centimeters long and is reddish pink in color.
Like most Penstemons, this species is very showy when in flower. Though native to hot, arid locations it is adaptable to most of southern California and is tolerant of garden conditions. give it plenty of sun and fast drainage, When in bloom it will be constantly in use by bees, butterflies and hummingbirds." (calscape.org)
"Penstemon pseudospectabilis (desert beardtongue, or desert penstemon) a species of penstemon. It is native to the southwestern United States, where it grows in desert and plateau habitat types, such as sandy washes, scrub, and woodland. The plant is generally a shrub growing to one meter, with many erect stems. The thin leaves are oval with wide, pointed tips and serrated edges. They are arranged oppositely in pairs, many are completely fused at the bases about the stem, forming a disc. The inflorescence bears tubular flowers with expanded, lobed mouths and glandular hairs on most surfaces, except the hairless staminode. The flower grows to 2.5 centimeters and is reddish pink." (Wikipedia)
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Cardinal Penstemon - Penstemon cardinalis
(on left side of bridge in Ojo y Manos)
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Firecracker Penstemon - Penstemon eatonii
Description
"Penstemon eatonii is a species of penstemon known by the common name firecracker penstemon.
It is native to the Western United States, from Southern California to the Rocky Mountains. It grows in many types of desert, woodland, forest, and open plateau habitat." (Wikipedia)