Penstemon
by Karen Slagle
Title
Penstemon
Artist
Karen Slagle
Medium
Photograph - Macro Photography
Description
This image was taken in the Texas panhandle with a Nikon D300, Nikkor 105, 2.8 VR lens mounted on a tripod and using a cable release.
The Fine Art America watermark will not be on your print.
Penstemon is a western United States native that has colorful tubular flowers on tall spikes. This prairie plant thrives in hot, sunny conditions and is a stunning addition to wildflower plantings. Another common name is beardtongue.
About This Plant
Penstemon forms dense spikes of tubular flowers in early to mid summer. Flower colors include pink, blue, red, purple, and white. The plants grow 1' to 3' tall, depending on the variety, and look best planted in groups. Smaller varieties are good for rock gardens and the front of the border, while taller types are best in the wildflower plantings or in the back of the border.
Special Features
Easy care/low maintenance
Good for cut flowers
Attracts hummingbirds
Tolerates dry soil
Site Selection
Select a site with full sun and well-drained soil. Choose a site where the plants will have plenty of room; penstemons don't like to be crowded.
Planting Instructions
Plant in spring, spacing plants 1 to 3 feet apart, depending on the variety. Don't crowd plants. Prepare the garden bed by using a garden fork or tiller to loosen the soil to a depth of 12 to 15 inches, then mix in a 2- to 4-inch layer of compost. Dig a hole twice the diameter of the pot the plant is in. Carefully remove the plant from its container and place it in the hole so the top of the root ball is level with the soil surface. Carefully fill in around the root ball and firm the soil gently. Water thoroughly.
Care
Apply a thin layer of compost each spring, followed by a 2-inch layer of mulch to retain moisture and control weeds. Water plants during the summer if rainfall is less than 1 inch per week. After the first killing frost, cut stems back to an inch or two above soil line.
Uploaded
June 15th, 2014
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Viewed 260 Times - Last Visitor from Cambridge, MA on 04/25/2024 at 7:14 PM
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Comments (30)
Bunny Clarke
I don't know how I missed this beauty, but it's gorgeous! Stunning capture and details.
Music of the Heart
This is gorgeous, Karen! Love the lighting and the depth in this outstanding macro! wow -- excellent!! lf
Marvin Spates
Sometimes the smallest things contain the most beauty!!! This is a lovely shot Karen!!! L
Music of the Heart
Wow Karen. The colors and the light....Yes the light... so stunning!!! Pure love!!! FL
Marianne NANA Betts
this sure is pretty, Karen !! we're getting inundated with rain here, so especially nice to have my day brightened by this fabulous example of divine beauty. I love all your images :) ~ nana
Will Borden
Karen~~an outstanding and very upbeat floral image- the lighting is phenomenal..!! F&L&Twt!
Karen Slagle replied:
Thank you Will. I always appreciate your kind and generous comments plus the votes, likes, faves and tweets.