Penstemon Whippleanus

Penstemon whippleanus, commonly known as Whipple’s beardtongue, is a perennial herbaceous plant that belongs to the Plantaginaceae family. It is native to the western United States and is often found in the Great Basin and Colorado Plateau regions. The plant is named after Lieutenant Amiel W. Whipple, an American explorer who led surveys in the southwestern United States during the mid-19th century.

Taxonomic Information

Domain	Eukaryota
Kingdom	Plantae
Phylum	Tracheophyta
Class	Magnoliopsida
Order	Lamiales
Family	Plantaginaceae
Genus	Penstemon

Appearance

Penstemon whippleanus grows up to 20-40 cm tall and has a spread of 20-30 cm. It has narrow, lance-shaped leaves that are light green in color and are 2-5 cm long. The flowers are trumpet-shaped and are 2-3 cm long. They are typically pink or lavender in color, and bloom from late spring to early summer. The plant has a bushy habit and can spread by rhizomes.

Care Guide

Penstemon whippleanus is an easy plant to care for and can thrive in a variety of growing conditions. Here are some tips to help you take care of your plant:

• Water: The plant prefers well-drained soil and can tolerate periods of drought. Water the plant deeply once a week during the growing season, and reduce watering in the fall and winter.
• Fertilization: Fertilize the plant once in the spring with a balanced fertilizer to encourage growth and blooming.
• Soil: The plant prefers well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter. It can tolerate a range of soil types, but does not like heavy clay soils.
• Sunlight: The plant prefers full sun to partial shade. It can tolerate some shade, but may not bloom as well.
• Hardiness zones: Penstemon whippleanus is hardy in USDA zones 5-8.

Common Pests & Diseases

Penstemon whippleanus is relatively disease and pest-free. However, it can be susceptible to root rot if planted in poorly drained soil. It can also be affected by spider mites and aphids, which can be controlled with insecticidal soap or neem oil.

Habitat

Penstemon whippleanus is native to the western United States and is often found in dry, rocky areas. It can be found in the Great Basin and Colorado Plateau regions, and is often found growing in sagebrush communities and pinyon-juniper woodlands.

Question and Answer

• Q: Can Penstemon whippleanus be grown in containers?
• A: Yes, Penstemon whippleanus can be grown in containers as long as the container has good drainage and the plant is watered regularly.
• Q: How often should I fertilize Penstemon whippleanus?
• A: Fertilize the plant once in the spring with a balanced fertilizer to encourage growth and blooming.
• Q: Is Penstemon whippleanus deer-resistant?
• A: Yes, Penstemon whippleanus is deer-resistant.
• Q: When should I prune Penstemon whippleanus?
• A: Prune Penstemon whippleanus in the fall after it has finished blooming. Cut back the stems to just above the foliage.

Related Plants

• Penstemon pseudospectabilis
• Penstemon barbatus
• Penstemon digitalis
• Penstemon heterophyllus

References

• “Penstemon whippleanus.” Missouri Botanical Garden. Accessed September 28, 2021. https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=284019&isprofile=0&basic=penstemon%20whippleanus.
• “Penstemon whippleanus.” Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. Accessed September 28, 2021. https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=PEWH.
• “Penstemon whippleanus.” Plants of the World Online. Accessed September 28, 2021. http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:808804-1.