Wonderful Blooms

Wonderful blooms showcases striking, deep violet flowers that bloom on strong, upright spikes, making them perfect for cutting and using in beautiful indoor floral arrangements. These intense, vibrant blooms add a touch of elegance to any space, whether displayed on their own or as part of a larger bouquet.

Cold Hardy

Penstemon plant is hardy and is well-suited to colder climates. It thrives in the harsh conditions of the Rocky Mountains due to its ability to survive winter by dying back to its insulated roots. Its deep root system allows it to access moisture in frozen soil and provides stability against frost heave.

Adaptable to Rocky Soils

Rocky Mountain can grow in rocky, sandy, or well-drained soils where nutrients are limited, making it ideal for xeriscaping and low-fertility areas. Its deep root system allows it to anchor firmly in loose or rocky soils while accessing moisture from deeper layers, enabling it to survive in arid and less-than-ideal conditions.

Attracts Beneficial Pollinator

These flowers are a magnet for beneficial pollinators, drawing in hummingbirds and butterflies by the dozens. The vibrant blooms are irresistible, providing a rich source of nectar that will keep these creatures coming back again and again. With their enticing colors and sweet rewards, your garden will soon be buzzing with the lively presence of these beautiful visitors.

Penstemon (Penstemon Strictus Rocky Mountain) - They are absolutely stunning in the xeriscape wildflower garden or in a naturalized setting! Grown from flower seeds, Rocky Mountain Penstemon is a fine source of a brilliant blue color, and it is a native United States plant that gardeners in many parts of the country have come to treasure for its beauty and water conservation. The plant has intensely colored blooms that are 1 inch across and shaped somewhat like a snapdragon. They open along sturdy, erect 24 - 36 inch stems giving you enough bloom spikes for cutting and bringing into the house for bouquets. Gardeners are not the only ones who enjoy Penstemon! Hummingbirds and butterflies will be visiting in droves to feed on the nectar.

Rocky Mountain Penstemon seed is considered a wild flower seed. It is recommended to directly sow these seeds outdoors into prepared beds in late fall. In the late fall, loosen the soil and scatter the seed thinly on top allowing spacing so that you can move the plants after they have developed if you need to. Put a very thin layer of coarse sand or potting soil over the flower seeds. They will lie dormant throughout the cold weather of winter, but the moisture and coldness is actually helping to soften the seed coat, and once spring temperatures come, they will begin to sprout. They will become drought tolerant, sturdy plants by mid-spring, and if you need to, the seedlings are easy to transplant to permanent locations at that time. Rocky Mountain Penstemon care includes deadheading the spent flowers to promote continued blooming. 

Penstemon (Penstemon Grandiflorus Large Beardtongue) - Also known as Shell-leaf Penstemon or Large Beardtongue, this Penstemon grows best in full sun, dry conditions, and in poor soil containing rocky material or sand. Shell Leaf Penstemon or large flowered Beardtongue readily establishes from flower seeds. This pink variety is one of the showiest, and the extra large pink to lavender colored 2 inch blooms are often visited by bumble bees and hummingbirds. Often listed as rare species or as endangered in the wild, this beautiful plant is a treasure to grow for your xeriscape flower garden from flower seeds as it is resistant to drought.

Shell Leaf Penstemon seeds are considered to be wild flower seeds. It is recommended to directly sow these seeds outdoors into prepared beds in late fall. In the late fall, loosen the soil and scatter the seed thinly on top allowing spacing so that you can move the plants after they have developed if you need to. Put a very thin layer of coarse sand or potting soil over the flower seeds. They will lie dormant throughout the cold weather of winter, but the moisture and coldness is actually helping to break the seed coat, and once spring temperatures come, they will begin to sprout. They will become sturdy, drought resistant plants by mid-spring, and if you need to, the seedlings are easy to transplant to permanent locations at that time.

Approximately 34,000 seeds per ounce.

Penstemon (Penstemon Spectabilis Showy) - Perfect for the naturalized xeriscape landscape or the wild flower garden, this Showy Penstemon plant grows 24 - 40 inches in height. It is a perennial flowering plant grown from flower seeds that features large, violet trumpet-shaped flowers growing on spikes. Showy Penstemon commands attention! It is native in dry creek beds, hill sides and coastal bluffs of southern California as it is quite drought resistant. It blooms in late spring through summer. This species will self-seed.

The flowers attract hummingbirds and butterflies into the garden. The drought tolerant plants will tolerate and even thrive in poor soils, but they require relatively good drainage. It is recommended to directly sow this flower seed outdoors into prepared beds in late fall. In the late fall, loosen the soil and scatter the seed thinly on top allowing spacing so that you can move the plants after they have developed if you need to. Put a very thin layer of coarse sand or potting soil over the flower seeds. They will lie dormant throughout the cold weather of winter, but the moisture and coldness is actually helping the Penstemon seeds, and once spring temperatures come, they will begin to sprout. They will become sturdy plants by mid-spring, and if you need to, the seedlings are easy to transplant to permanent locations at that time in your xeriscape garden. Showy Penstemon care includes little  watering once established, avoiding overly fertile soil, and deadheading spent flowers to promote longer blooming.

Approximately 50,000 seeds per ounce.

Striking Bi-Color Flowers

How To Grow

Scarlet queen seeds do not need a cold treatment before germination as some species may require. Start indoors in starter trays or small pots in the late winter. Sow 2-3 seeds per plant, and press seeds lightly into the soil, but do not cover: light is needed for germination. Make sure to keep seeds moist until germination. Seedlings can be transplanted outdoors after all danger of frost has passed. However, harden off the seedlings for 10 days or more before moving to their final location. When transplanting, pinch back the plant to promote bushier growth.

• Environment: full sun to partial shade
• Soil: well-drained with pH 5.8-6.8
• Plant spacing: 16-20 inches

Plant Information

Scarlet queen penstemon is an annual wildflower native to the western U.S. and Mexico. it grows in USDA zones 8-10: in frost-free, mild winters, it will grow as short-lived perennial.

• Height: 30 inches
• Bloom color: scarlet
• Bloom season: late spring through fall
• Average germ time: 14-30 days

Penstemon (Penstemon Hartwegii Scarlet Queen) - If you enjoy attracting beneficial insects to your xeriscape landscape, start Penstemon seeds and enjoy this long-blooming Scarlet Queen. Hummingbirds also will enjoy the brilliant scarlet tubular flowers with white throats. From June to September, this Scarlet Beardtongue, will reward you with non-stop blooming. Penstemon flower care includes deadheading the spent blooms to help promote the continued blooming. Also, during periods of no rainfall, deeply soak the roots of the plant every 2 - 3 weeks for best flowering; however, plants will survive long periods with no water as they are quite resitant to drought.

Scarlet Queen will tolerate and even thrive in poor soils where it is quite resistant to drought, but it is susceptible to disease when the soil does not drain well. For cool climates, position Scarlet Beard Tongue plants in full sun, but in the hotter climates some partial shade is good. In areas of frost free, mild winters, Beard Tongue will grow as a perennial and as an annual in other zones.

Growing Penstemon from flower seeds: These seeds do not need a cold treatment to improve germination as some species require. The Penstemon seed can be started indoors in starter trays or small pots in late winter. The flower seeds can be pressed into the soil but not covered. Keep the flower seeds moist. Before transplanting once frost have passed, harden off the seedlings for 10 days or more. At the time of transplanting, pinching back the plant will promote a bushier grow habit.

Penstemon (Penstemon Hartwegii Arabesque Pink) - Also known as, beard-tongues, these showy, drought resistant plants put on a terrific pink blossoms. This selection blooming from spring through summer in warmer climates. Plants form a bushy compact clump, bearing several spikes of unique and showy, large, pink flowers that feature a contrasting white throat. In hot climates such as the deep south, plant in partial shade even though they are quite resistant to drought.  Excellent in pots and tubs as well as directly in the garden. Nice for cutting. Attractive to both butterflies and hummingbirds. Also known as "Summer Snapdragon."

These flowers attract hummingbirds and butterflies into the garden. Beardtongue will tolerate and even thrive in poor soils, but it requires relatively good drainage. Full sun in cool climates and partial shade in the hottest areas is preferred in the xeriscape garden. Penstemon Hartwegii care includes little water once established and avoid overly fertile soil.

Sow Penstemon seeds indoors in starter trays or small pots in late winter. Press the flower seeds into the soil but seed should be visible on the surface of the soil. After danger of frost has passed, harden off the seedlings and transplant them into the xeriscape flower garden. To encourage bushier growth, pinch back the plant at time of transplanting.

Penstemon (Penstemon Hartwegii Arabesque Violet) - Also known as, beard-tongues, these upright drought resistant plants have beautiful violet flowers. This selection blooming from spring through summer in warmer climates. Plants form a bushy compact clump, bearing several spikes of unique and showy, large, violet flowers that feature a contrasting white throat. In hot climates such as the deep south, plant in partial shade where they will be more resistant to drought. Excellent in pots and tubs as well as directly in the garden. Nice for cutting with good vase life. Attractive to both butterflies and hummingbirds. Also known as "Summer Snapdragon."

These flowers attract hummingbirds and butterflies into the garden. Beardtongue will tolerate and even thrive in poor soils, but it requires relatively good drainage. Full sun in cool climates and partial shade in the hottest areas is preferred. Penstemon Hartwegii care includes little water once established and avoid overly fertile soil.

Sow Penstemon seeds indoors in starter trays or small pots in late winter. Press the flower seeds into the soil but seed should be visible on the surface of the soil. After danger of frost has passed, harden off the seedlings and transplant them into the flower garden. To encourage bushier growth, pinch back the plant at time of transplanting.

Penstemon (Penstemon Heterophyllus Electric Blue) - Penstemon Electric Blue is a selected form of the Foothills Beardtongue, a small growing evergreen shrub from California, that blooms in late spring with a memorable display of intensely blue flowers. Grows 18 inches tall and 24 inches wide in full sun. Easy to grow from flower seeds, this Penstemon has exhilarating color and is incredibly showy for the 4 - 6 weeks it remains in bloom. Flowers begin in May and slack off with really hot weather; however, it remains a drought tolerant plant.

Grows best in full sun and fast draining soil with light summer water. Can handle hot temperatures with little water. Cut back hard in early Spring and mulch annually with compost. Seems to thrive and live longer in average soil as long as it is well drained which is why a slope is a plus.  Makes a great cut flower and if you water it after cutting back it may even bloom again.

These flowers attract hummingbirds and butterflies into the garden. Beardtongue will tolerate and even thrive in poor soils, but it requires relatively good drainage. Beardtongue grows best in full sun. Penstemon care includes little water once established and avoid overly fertile soil making them the perfect choice for xeriscaping.

Sow Penstemon seeds indoors in starter trays or small pots in late winter. Press the flower seeds into the soil but seed should be visible on the surface of the soil. After danger of frost has passed, harden off the seedlings and transplant them into the flower garden. To encourage bushier growth, pinch back the plant at time of transplanting.