Using penstemons in your desert landscaping

You might not think of the Ocotillo (Fouquieria splendens) as a background plant, but it works quite well, especially once it matures into a regal and tall accent plant. Whether it is leafed out or not, the tall vertical form is a perfect background for desert wildflowers including penstemons.The Texas Mountain Laurel, Sophora secundiflora, is another great plant for screening and as a backdrop for plants with silvery leaves. The dark green leaf color can set off perennials planted in front by accentuating the flowers. The Texas Mountain Laurel also produces a flower show in the early spring.View the list »
The Texas Ranger is an excellent background shrub, especially if you pick a variety with silvery-gray leaves. Planting perennials in front of a Texas Ranger will show off the flowers when in season. The Texas Ranger itself will show off in the warm season, with a profusion of purple or white flowers. 

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Penstemon spectabilis has no common name, but it has all the characteristics of the many penstemon species suitable for desert landscaping in the Tucson and Green Valley areas.

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This penstemon has lovely bluish-purple flowers on tall stalks. They appear in about April and last through June. Hummingbirds love this plant as they do all penstemons.

Use penstemon species in your hummingbird garden, or intersperse in your desert landscaping. Using larger shrubs with a different leaf color as a backdrop is an excellent way to show off the plant when it is in full bloom.

Always plant penstemons where soils have excellent drainage. They tend to rot out not only if overwatered, but if planted in heavy clay soils. They can take full sun, but also do well in filtered shade such as underneath our native Velvet Mesquite or Palo Verde.

Reference: Mountain States Wholesale Nursery and Gregg Starr Nursery Plant Info Sheet, 1999.

View the list
  • The Texas Ranger is an excellent background shrub, especially if you pick a variety with silvery-gray leaves. Planting perennials in front of a Texas Ranger will show off the flowers when in season. The Texas Ranger itself will show off in the warm season, with a profusion of purple or white flowers. 
  • The Texas Mountain Laurel, Sophora secundiflora, is another great plant for screening and as a backdrop for plants with silvery leaves. The dark green leaf color can set off perennials planted in front by accentuating the flowers. The Texas Mountain Laurel also produces a flower show in the early spring.
  • You might not think of the Ocotillo (Fouquieria splendens) as a background plant, but it works quite well, especially once it matures into a regal and tall accent plant. Whether it is leafed out or not, the tall vertical form is a perfect background for desert wildflowers including penstemons.
View the list

, Tucson Gardening Examiner

This author has lived in Arizona since 1972 and has been gardening for more than 28 years. A landscape architect and certified arborist, Linda teaches classes for everyone in desert plant care for Green Valley Recreation, and provides services in landscape design. Contact her at Linda...

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