Penstemon x mexicali ‘Pikes Peak Purple’ | Harebell, Bearded Tongue

Penstemon x mexicali ‘Pikes Peak Purple’ | Harebell, Bearded Tongue was planted in 2020. I did not have it the next year.

Plantaginaceae (Plantain Family) Pronounced Plant-tage-in-aye-see-eye

Pronounced PEN-stem-on

The name "Penstemon" is from Latin "paene" meaning "almost" or "nearly and the Greek word "stemon" meaning "stamen." It could also be from the Greek word "penta" meaning "five" and "stemon" meaning "stamen." Both refer to the fifth and sterile stamen (staminode).

The common name of "beardtongue" is also because of the sterile stamen which can be hairy and because of the shape of the flower.

The name "campanulatus" is from a Latin word "campana" which means "bell-shaped."

Concord grape flowers are partly tube shaped and two-lipped and long blooming.

The plant is asy to grow, needs full sunlight, and has evergreen leaves.

Some hybrid versions of Penstemon will have a second flush of flowers. Does this one?

I had this noted that it was a Harebell, but then found the tag, and then realized there were several plants called Harebell, or Penstemon, so I am confused. Here are my notes:

Campanula rotundifolia (Harebell) is what I first had this plant marked as being. I believe this is also called Bellflower.

Penstemon campanulatus, commonly known as bellflower beardtongue (from Missouri Botanical Garden website).

Veronica prostrata (also known as Veronica rupestris) is a penstemon that is sometimes called harebell or sprawling speedwell.

Penstemon digitalis | Foxglove Beard-tongue, Foxglove Beardtongue, Talus Slope Penstemon, White Beardtongue

It was a beautiful flower!