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Hardiness: USDA Zone 2a: to -45.5 °C (-50 °F) USDA Zone 2b: to -42.7 °C (-45 °F) USDA Zone 3a: to -39.9 °C (-40 °F) USDA Zone 3b: to -37.2 °C (-35 °F) USDA Zone 4a: to -34.4 °C (-30 °F) USDA Zone 4b: to -31.6 °C (-25 °F) USDA Zone 5a: to -28.8 °C (-20 °F) USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 °C (-15 °F) USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F) USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F) USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F) USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F) USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F) USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
Sun Exposure: Full Sun
Danger: All parts of plant are poisonous if ingested
Bloom Color: White/Near White
Bloom Time: Late Spring/Early Summer Mid Summer Late Summer/Early Fall
Foliage: Herbaceous
Other details: Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Soil pH requirements: 6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic) 6.6 to 7.5 (neutral) 7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)
Patent Information: Non-patented
Propagation Methods: From herbaceous stem cuttings From seed; direct sow outdoors in fall From seed; winter sow in vented containers, coldframe or unheated greenhouse From seed; stratify if sowing indoors
Seed Collecting: Allow pods to dry on plant; break open to collect seeds
On Dec 27, 2007, JedS from Shawnee Mission, KS wrote:
I've had success growing this plant in eastern Kansas using rich, clay soil amended with some sand. It has grown and thrived in the hottest, driest of summers in full sun and in our cold winters. It blooms each year in mid-May with white flowers that have the lightest of a pinkish cast, and on occasion attracts a northbound migrating hummingbird at the same time. I've had to stake it lightly because the rich, clay soil causes it to flop somewhat.
On Jun 24, 2007, erica42 from Wellsboro, PA (Zone 4b) wrote:
These white penstemons grow wild here. I have never planted any, but have them appear in my flowerbeds. If they are not interferring with another plant, I usually allow them to flower.
On Jun 24, 2005, dceldridge from Shepherdstown, WV (Zone 6b) wrote:
I bought the plant as a "Perennial of the Year" in 1996, transplanted it, and it has done well. I rely on rainfall to water it and have mulched it. It grows to about 2 feet. No problem with insects.
On May 28, 2004, Toxicodendron from Piedmont, MO (Zone 6a) wrote:
This is an attractive native wildflower here in the Ozarks. It prefers a moist habitat near the edges of woods, but not in deepest shade. Apparently it self-sows quite easily. Most of my plants are 2 to 3 feet tall, but they can reach as high as 4 feet according to my Missouri Wildflowers book.
On Oct 10, 2003, PaisleyPat from Minneapolis, MN wrote:
I have had this growing in two spots in my garden for 3 years now....If left to go to seed, it reseeds itself very well...I prune off the fading flowers, and it sends up new spikes of flowers for at least 6 weeks starting in early summer....The flowers are delightful little white bells, and in quantity are very decorative on the outer edge of my deep shade garden where they get about 4 hours of sun. The contrast between the green/burgundy foliage and the white bells is really striking. They are extremely hardy.
Has slim, lance shaped, mid-deep green leaves which may be toothed or entire. Bears tubular, white flowers somtimes tinged with pink inside and out.
Flowers June to September
Loves a well drained, fertile soil in sun or light shade. Can get a bit weedy given time.
Regional...
This plant has been said to grow in the following regions:
Shawnee Mission, Kansas Pinconning, Michigan Minneapolis, Minnesota Cole Camp, Missouri Greenwood, Missouri Piedmont, Missouri Frenchtown, New Jersey Clifton Park, New York Oneonta, New York Elizabeth City, North Carolina Garner, North Carolina Cleveland, Ohio Wellsboro, Pennsylvania Santaquin, Utah Shepherdstown, West Virginia