Species
Penstemon cardwellii
Cardwell’s Penstemon
Range
Cascade Mountains, and coast range
of
Climate, elevation
Wide range of climates at mid-high elevations
Local occurrence
Found from northern
Habitat preferences
Common in open forest, forest edges,
open, often rocky slopes, and cutbanks. Prefers light shade to full sun. Tolerant of deer, drought, heat and humidity.
Plant strategy type/successional stage
Late seral to climax species
Associated species
Rubus
spp., Ribes spp., Alnus sinuata, Agrostis diegoensis, Luzula parviflora, Anaphalis
margaritacea.
May be collected as:
Seed, Cuttings
Collection restrictions
or guidelines
Allow pods to dry on plant, break open to collect seeds
Seed germination
1-3 months at 13-18°C. Then germinate barely covered in late
spring, early fall.
Seed life
Long shelf life
Recommended seed
storage conditions
Sealed containers around 1° to 3°
Propagation
recommendations
From woody stem cuttings: plant in late summer
From seed: direct sow outdoors in late spring, early fall
Winter sow in vented containers, coldframe
or unheated greenhouse
Stratify if sowing indoors
Soil or medium
requirements
pH 5-7.5
Installation form
Seed, cuttings
Recommended planting
density
Not available
Care requirements after
installed
Water regularly, do not overwater
Normal rate of growth
or spread; lifespan
Perennial
Spreading – sprawls across ground rooting at nodes
Sources cited
Data compiled by
Kelly Sutton
May 10, 2006