Penstemon palmeri

& other random goodness.  Sorting thru my photos this morning, I noticed quite a few that hadn't been shared so I'm throwing out an assortment starting with the subject of the post title.

Hands down, my favorite of all the penstemons ~ Penstemon palmeri (aka the wild pink snapdragon):

I can't say the feeling is mutual ~ it struggles to grow for me but then I have less than ideal growing conditions considering it doesn't like tight clay soil.  I am looking for an alternative growing site because I certainly do NOT want to lose the two plants valiantly trying to survive in my garden.  Quite the opposite ~ I'd really love them to reach their full potential (4 to 5 ft tall and a couple feet wide).  Maybe I could just amend the soil (add some sand & gravel) to make it more appealing?? 

Consider it my new mission in life (well, for today anyway!)

Another penstemon at its peak bloom right now is ' strictus' ~ I have a nice patch along the driveway intermingled with yellow bearded iris:

I waited a little too long to photograph this pair but you get the idea.  

'Strictus' is always loaded with bees as evidenced in the photo below.

Leaving the penstemons behind, an artistic shot of Allium 'Mont Blanc' that I feel sure you'll appreciate:

Taken against the morning sun, with the dwarf blue spruce providing a dark backdrop, this photo makes my heart pitter pat...  Be still, be still.  

A special surprise for me was finding Louisiana Iris 'Black Gamecock' blooming in the pond yesterday morning:

This poor iris has been to hell and back.  Purchased three years ago (when I first installed the little preformed pond), the neighbors dog got a hold of it (not a week after I bought it) and chewed it to what I thought was a certain death.  Not willing to give up, I placed it back in the water and hoped for a miracle.  Looks like I got one. 

The one & only bloom in three years time ~ you can bet I want more now.  The first photo was taken in the morning, second at night (after the iris had somehow toppled over into the water).  Better not be because of the neighbors dog again....

 

 

 

Comments

[GirlSprout]

Penstemon Palmeri is one of my favorite penstemon. Great close up. I have a neighbor whose walk to his house is lined with palmeri and strictus and they've been blooming away.

[Racquel]

The Penstemon 'Strictus' is gorgeous combined with the yellow Iris and your Louisiana Iris is so striking. :)

[Victoria]

That iris is beautiful and well named, too.
We also love penstemon palmeri and are down to one plant, which we should try to get to re-seed around our front garden which has better conditions for it. Love its scent, too.

[Janet, The Queen of Seaford]

I thought maybe your Allium photo, perfect as it is, was taken against the fridge backdrop again! :-) I imagine the buzzing is pretty loud with all those blooms. Just lovely.

Thanks for the info on the watering can vase. Haven't done anything about it yet.....but I know it is there.

[Grace]

I killed my P. palmeri years ago. Darn it. I should consider trying it again. Your 'Strictus' looks great too. Love the allium and iris.

[sweetbay]

I don't think I've seen palmeri before, how lovely. It has that wildflower grace. I love strictus too (that color is amazing!) and the shot of the alliums. Those alliums really do sparkle.

You asked about the four o'clocks ~ they are hardy to zone 7/8 (seems to depend on the cultivar) and do seed around. The mockingbird babies must have been older than I thought because they've fledged already! Dad is in hyperprotective mode right now.

[Catherine]

Those are some really pretty Penstemons! Mine are just starting to bloom here, but none are like the two you show.
That is a really pretty iris! So glad it survived. Could wind have blown it over last time? Some of my plants that get tall get blown in and I have to go and rescue them.

[Kala]

They're all fantastic shots Kathleen. I really love the colors and selective focus in your image of the strictus and the bee!