Why choose native plants? Pacific Northwest native plants know how to live here and how to thrive here. They often need much less water and less fertilizer. They spread slowly and are not invasive. They support a wide diversity of wildlife. And best of all, they look great!
This species was named in honor of Dr. James R. Cardwell, a horticulturist, author and the first dentist to practice in Portland, Oregon. Found in volcanic pumice rock slopes, open woods or forest edges at moderate elevations, Cardwell’s penstemon is a native species of the Oregon Coastal Range and the Cascade Mountains, occurring from central Washington through Oregon. A large community has settled on volcanic rubble around Mount St. Helens, in the aftermath of the 1980 eruption. The intense violet color of the flowers is perfect to brighten a partially shaded rock garden or dry bank. It looks beautiful year-round, even when not flowering. This penstemon has woody stems which grow 4-12 inches long and spread by layering, sometimes forming thick mats. Flowering stems grow 4-8 inches long and have smaller but broader leaves which lack petioles. Flowers bloom from May to early August and sometimes again in the fall. Full sun to light shade in well-drained, moist to dry soil. Photo courtesy of SevenOaks.
