PLANT OF THE MONTH:
Balloon flower
Penstemon palmeri
IN THE GARDEN: An herbaceous perennial that will self sow. Its erect growth to 4-6 ft. high when in bloom. Showy cream to pale pink flowers on tall spikes are intensely fragrant with a sweet scent. Great for birds, butterflies, and especially bumblebees, which are excellent pollinators who love to crawl into the flowers that are large and round, hence the common name, Balloon flower. Many people who see this plant in bloom think it is a foxglove--very showy! Broad, toothed leaves up to 3" long are covered with a grayish, bluish, or whitish waxy coating or bloom that is easily rubbed off. Very drought tolerant (this species is native to hot, dry desert mountains), it will thrive where many other plants in need of more moisture cannot.
ECOLOGICAL VALUE: Attracts Butterflies, Bees, and Birds. Drought tolerant.
NATIVE DISTRIBUTION: They can be found in arid regions of Southern California (calscape.org).
AT THE NURSERY: We currently have 161 in D-16 containers which are $5.00 each and 2 in 1-gallon containers for $11.25 each.
