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Showy Beardtongue Seeds

Penstemon cobaea

5.00 (2 reviews)
  • HOW TO GROW
  • FAST FACTS
  • REVIEWS

HOW TO GROW

Sowing: Direct sow in late fall, pressing into the surface of the soil since this seed needs light to germinate. For spring planting, mix the seeds with moist sand and store in the refrigerator for 30-60 days before planting. Keep the soil lightly moist until germination. This seed can also be started indoors 6-8 weeks before planting in the spring.

Growing: Water seedlings until they become established. This plant develops rather slowly, and usually begins blooming in its second or third year. Mature plants tolerate drought well because of a well-developed tap root; this plant has excellent resistance to disease and pests. After blooming cut the plant back to several inches above the soil, unless seed is wanted. Do not overwater, since this plant is particularly susceptible to root rot if the soil becomes too moist. If seeds are not required, cut the plant back after blooming has finished. This plant often self-sows, and is highly attractive to bees, hummingbirds, and butterflies.

Harvesting: For cut flowers, choose stems with flowers that have just opened. Strip the foliage that will fall below the water level, and place in water immediately.

Seed Saving: After the flowers fade, small pods will form that eventually open at the top to reveal the ripe seeds. Gather the seeds as soon as the pods have begun to open; watch them carefully to prevent loss, since the seeds can easily be blown away by the wind. Store the seeds in a cool, dry place.

FAST FACTS

Common Names: Cobaea Beardtongue, Red Beardtongue, Showy Beardtongue

Latin Name: Penstemon cobaea

Species Origin: US Native Wildflower

Type: Native Wildflowers

Life Cycle: Perennial

USDA Zones: 4, 5, 6, 7, 8

US Regions: Arid/Desert, Plains/Texas, Midwest

Seeds per Ounce: 12,000

Stratification: Cold/Wet for 4 Weeks

Germination Ease: Stratify 4 Weeks

Sunlight: Full Sun, Part Sun

Height: 24 Inches

Color: Pink, Purple

Bloom Season: Blooms Late Spring, Blooms Early Summer

Uses: Attracts Pollinators, Hummingbirds, Cut Flowers, Deer Resistant

Showy Beardtongue Seeds 5.0
Review By BearMountainBooks

Love these packets

These packets are durable and Everwilde puts in more seeds than other places. I've planted these this winter and hoping some of them come up in the spring. It's difficult to get wildflowers started!

Showy Beardtongue Seeds 5.0
Review By Marchelle Taylor

Packaged Well

My seed packets all arrived quickly and packed well. Can't wait to see how they germinate. Large packages and fair price!

Size Price Quantity
XL Mylar Packet (~125 Seeds) $3.48 Notify Me
1/4 Oz Mylar (7.09g) $9.60 Notify Me
1 Oz Mylar (~12,000 Seeds) $26.00 Notify Me
1/4 Lb Mylar (113g) $104.00 Notify Me
1 Lb Mylar (454g) $390.00 Notify Me
Sold out

DESCRIPTION

These gorgeous blooms are so showy that they look like the product of a skilled plant breeder. But it is a perennial native wildflower, that just grows that way in the wild! The hummingbirds and bees love the bright tubular flowers.
John Mitchell, an 18th century American botanist, recorded the first botanical description of this plant genus; Carl Linnaeus included it in his landmark publication Species Plantarum in 1753. According to legend, Native Americans once used this plant as a versatile medicinal remedy. Its unusual common name comes from a fuzzy "tongue" in each open bloom, which gives a slight resemblance to a mouth and a tongue. The genus name "Penstemon" comes from Greek words for "five threads," referring to the stamens of each blossom.

HOW TO GROW

Sowing: Direct sow in late fall, pressing into the surface of the soil since this seed needs light to germinate. For spring planting, mix the seeds with moist sand and store in the refrigerator for 30-60 days before planting. Keep the soil lightly moist until germination. This seed can also be started indoors 6-8 weeks before planting in the spring.

Growing: Water seedlings until they become established. This plant develops rather slowly, and usually begins blooming in its second or third year. Mature plants tolerate drought well because of a well-developed tap root; this plant has excellent resistance to disease and pests. After blooming cut the plant back to several inches above the soil, unless seed is wanted. Do not overwater, since this plant is particularly susceptible to root rot if the soil becomes too moist. If seeds are not required, cut the plant back after blooming has finished. This plant often self-sows, and is highly attractive to bees, hummingbirds, and butterflies.

Harvesting: For cut flowers, choose stems with flowers that have just opened. Strip the foliage that will fall below the water level, and place in water immediately.

Seed Saving: After the flowers fade, small pods will form that eventually open at the top to reveal the ripe seeds. Gather the seeds as soon as the pods have begun to open; watch them carefully to prevent loss, since the seeds can easily be blown away by the wind. Store the seeds in a cool, dry place.

FAST FACTS

Common Names: Cobaea Beardtongue, Red Beardtongue, Showy Beardtongue

Latin Name: Penstemon cobaea

Species Origin: US Native Wildflower

Type: Native Wildflowers

Life Cycle: Perennial

USDA Zones: 4, 5, 6, 7, 8

US Regions: Arid/Desert, Plains/Texas, Midwest

Seeds per Ounce: 12,000

Stratification: Cold/Wet for 4 Weeks

Germination Ease: Stratify 4 Weeks

Sunlight: Full Sun, Part Sun

Height: 24 Inches

Color: Pink, Purple

Bloom Season: Blooms Late Spring, Blooms Early Summer

Uses: Attracts Pollinators, Hummingbirds, Cut Flowers, Deer Resistant

Reviews

5.00
Global Rating: 5.00 from 2 reviews
5.0

Review By BearMountainBooks

Love these packets

These packets are durable and Everwilde puts in more seeds than other places. I've planted these this winter and hoping some of them come up in the spring. It's difficult to get wildflowers started!

5.0

Review By Marchelle Taylor

Packaged Well

My seed packets all arrived quickly and packed well. Can't wait to see how they germinate. Large packages and fair price!