Notice

Colin Mills, compiler of the Hortus Camdenensis, died in late November 2012 after a short illness. As he always considered the Hortus his legacy, it is his family's intention to keep the site running in perpetuity. It will not, however, be updated in the near future.

Penstemon speciosus Dougl. ex Lindl.

Hardy herbaceous plant with lance-shaped leaves, the flowers bright blue to purple, but pink and rose coloured cultivars exist.  To 60cm.  [RHSD, Hortus].

Horticultural & Botanical History

‘A fine perennial species, native of the banks of the Spokan river, in North-west America, whence it was sent by Mr. Douglas to the Horticultural Society in 1827.  It flowered in the Chiswick Garden from June to September: our drawing was made in July.  In consequence of the great number of flowering stems and flowers which this plant produces, it increases little by the root, so that its propagation will depend upon the saving its seeds, which are brought forth in abundance.  It is quite hardy, and grows in common garden soil.’  [BR f.1270/1829]. 

‘Dry plains and hillsides, mostly confined to the Arid Transition Zone; central Washington to southern California, mostly east of the Cascade- Sierran axis, east to Idaho and Utah. Type locality: Spokane River, May-July.’  [An Illustrated Flora of the Pacific States vol.3, p.753].

History at Camden Park

Seeds were ordered from Warner & Warner, Seedsmen and Florists, Cornhill, on 8th April 1846.  [MP A2933-1 p.131].  This is the only record.

Notes

Penstemon glaber Pursh is considered by some to be synonymous with Penstemon speciosus Dougl. ex Lindl., and is found in the central and southern states of the USA. ‘Gravelly or alluvial banks, at altitudes of 1,200 to 2,100 (3,150) meters; Subboreal (Submontane) Zone (probably rarely ascending to Alpine Zone); flowering from early June to early August.  High plains and foothills in drainage of Missouri River, south to Albany County, Wyoming.  North Dakota to western Nebraska and central Wyoming.’  [Contributions from the United States National Herbarium vol. 20, p.348/1917-25].  It has also been located as far south as the Mexican border and its range is contiguous with that of Penstemon speciosus.

Published Sep 25, 2009 - 01:31 PM | Last updated Feb 18, 2010 - 05:18 PM

Illustrated is a lance-shaped leaf and raceme of bright blue flowers.  Botanical Register f.1270, 1829.

Penstemon speciosus Dougl. ex Lindl. | BR f.1270/1829 | BHL

Family Scrophulariaceae
Category
Region of origin

Western North America

Synonyms
  • Penstemon glaber Pursh var. speciosus Rydb.
  • Penstemon glaber Pursh. var. occidentalis A.Gray
  • Penstemon pilifer Heller
  • Penstemon rex Nels. & Macbr
  • Penstemon deserticola Piper
  • Penstemon speciosus var. pilifer Munz & Jtn.
  • Penstemon fruticiformis var. spiciformis Jepson
Common Name

Showy penstemon, Royal penstemon

Name in the Camden Park Record

Penstemon speciosum 

Confidence level high