The Californian Penstemons

Abstract

The genus Penstemon is one of the largest genera of the Figwort or Snapdragon Family (Scrophulariaceae) which includes among its members some of our most colorful and useful garden subjects. Known commonly as the Beardtongues, they are greatly admired for their diversity of color, size and shape, as well as for their usefulness to the gardener. This seems to be sufficient reason for exploring the horticultural possibilities of such an interesting group, confining our studies to those members of the genus native to California. Dr. John Mitchell, an English physician, founded the genus in 1748, while living in Virginia. There are now considered to be about 230 species, all native to the American continent, except one-Po frutesce1lS, an inhabitant of northeastern Asia. The genus is known to nearly every section of the United States, is most plentiful in the western part, and extends from Alaska to Guatemala. California is blessed with a large proportion of the species, which, during the late spring and summer, add much welcome color to nearly all parts of the state.