“Pirate” Penstemon - Cultivar for Pollinator Support & Soil Erosion

Today at the park, I will be offering the usuals (just a few MN Hardy Mums left) in addition to multiple sizes - from $6 to $12 of Husker Red Beardstounge Penstemon.

They are grown from the seeds of one of my “hope” starter plants that were indoor grown in Vermont (thus able to travel with me) & survived the winter sub-freezing temperatures of my return to the farm in December of 2023.

It’s possible by the time we arrived, in getting re-settled I COMPLETELY forgot about my poor small potted plants for days. I could only legally transport a few, and they should not have survived - but thankfully, natures always working with us.

The top photo is the momma plant. It’s in part shade, thus slowing the growth and changing the color slightly. Many plants like sedums & penstemon actually display different colors depending on light, and I enjoy tucking them in different conditions for all the different beauty possible from the same species.

If planted in full sun, & establishment watered in this fall, they should send their first flower spikes out next season:

Pretty white & mauve flowers on stems that rise up above the base plant that grows out like a shrub.

Native & Cultivar variaties of Penstemon provide a rich nectar source for hummingbirds, bees, & butterflies. They also root deeply, helping to stabilize soil and become extremely drought tolerant when established.

Native bumblebees also like to take shelter in the bushy plant base & birds will enjoy the last of the seeds come fall.

& don’t forget its blood drive day. Pop by, make your donation, and then come say hi!

$2 off any plant for those who donated or tried.

Also - Sale Alert - as its getting to toward fall, and any larger holdover plant stock will need to be potted up (and price raised next season), 3 or more #1 size or larger plants purchased = $5 off total purchase price.

Lets get as many roots in and settled so they can start helping nature THIS season and for that beautiful larger growth you’ll see next year.

See you in the sunshine (or possibly thunderstorm 😂),

Kristin