Idaho Plant Materials Technical Note No. 24
Idaho Plant Materials Technical Note No. 24
Idaho Plant Materials Technical Note No. 24
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winter at soil surface to 1/8-inch depth. Average seeds/ft 2 at 1 lb. rate is 13. Pure stand seeding rate is 2 lb/ac. <strong>No</strong>t<br />
recommended in pure stands.<br />
Rocky Mountain Penstemon Penstemon strictus: A perennial native semi-evergreen forb that is long-lived and<br />
occurs in the upper juniper, mountain big sagebrush, mountain brush, and open areas in aspen and coniferous forest.<br />
Flowers are bright blue to purple and bloom from mid May to late June. This species does well in areas over 15 inches<br />
annual precipitation and on rocky and sandy loam soils that range from weakly acidic to alkaline. It is eaten by<br />
livestock and wildlife. It has good potential as an ornamental. It is widely used to stabilize depleted, disturbed, and<br />
eroded sites. Seed can be broadcast or drilled up to 1/8 inch deep. Fall seeding for hard seed stratification is<br />
recommended. The variety 'Bandera' was released for its long-lived and seed production characteristics. <strong>Plant</strong> this<br />
species in late fall-early winter on soil surface to 1/8-inch depth. Average seeds/ft 2 at 1 lb. rate is 11. Pure stand seeding<br />
rate is 2 lb/ac. <strong>No</strong>t recommended in pure stands.<br />
Royal (Sagebrush or Showy) Penstemon Penstemon speciosus: A perennial native forb with an upright habit and<br />
moderate growth rate, growing from 8-36 inches tall. It is a good pollinator species and its bright blue flowers attract<br />
bees and butterflies from June-July. Due to hard seed, plant penstemon species in late fall-early winter at soil surface to<br />
1/8-inch depth. Average seeds/ft 2 at 1 lb. rate is 9. Pure stand seeding rate is 3 lb/ac. <strong>No</strong>t recommended in pure stands.<br />
Sharpleaf (Sand) Penstemon Penstemon acuminatus: A short-lived native perennial forb with an upright habit<br />
and moderate growth rate, growing from 8-<strong>24</strong> inches tall. It is a good pollinator species and its blue flowers attract bees<br />
and butterflies from June-July. Due to hard seed, plant penstemon species in late fall-early winter at soil surface to 1/8-<br />
inch depth. Average seeds/ft 2 at 1 lb. rate is 9. Pure stand seeding rate is 3 lb/ac. <strong>No</strong>t recommended in pure stands.<br />
Taper-leaved Penstemon Penstemon attenuates: A short-lived native perennial forb with an upright habit and<br />
moderate growth rate, growing from 6-36 inches tall. It is a good pollinator species and its blue-purple-pink flowers<br />
attract bees and butterflies from May-July. Due to hard seed, plant penstemon species in late fall-early winter at soil<br />
surface to 1/8-inch depth. Average seeds/ft 2 at 1 lb. rate is 20. Pure stand seeding rate is 1 lb/ac. <strong>No</strong>t recommended in<br />
pure stands.<br />
Venus Penstemon Penstemon venustus: A perennial, cool season, long-lived, native half shrub, with a strong<br />
taproot and woody base. The flowers are bright lavender to purple. Its natural habitat is from 1,000 to 6,000 feet<br />
elevation and 20-35 inches annual precipitation. It does best in full sunlight, on open slopes of mountain valleys and<br />
foothills. It does not tolerate poorly drained soils. Potential uses include erosion control, plant diversity and<br />
beautification on droughty sites. The Clearwater Selection is a release of Venus penstemon from Aberdeen PMC. Due<br />
to hard seed, plant this species in late fall-early winter at soil surface to 1/8-inch depth. Average seeds/ft 2 at 1 lb. rate is<br />
20. Pure stand seeding rate is 1 lb/ac.<br />
Yellow Penstemon Penstemon confertus: A short-lived native perennial forb with an upright habit and moderate<br />
growth rate, growing from 8-<strong>24</strong> inches tall. It is a good pollinator species and its blue-purple-pink flowers attract bees<br />
and butterflies from June-July. It is best adapted to 18 inch plus rainfall areas. Due to hard seed, plant penstemon<br />
species in late fall-early winter at soil surface to 1/8-inch depth. Average seeds/ft 2 at 1 lb. rate is 10. Pure stand seeding<br />
rate is 2 lb/ac. <strong>No</strong>t recommended in pure stands.<br />
Phacelia<br />
Phacelia hastata<br />
Phacelia is a native short-lived upright forb that reaches 0.5-2 feet in height. It is considered a good pollinator and sage<br />
grouse brood rearing habitat species. The light blue to purple flowers attracts bees from June-August. Average<br />
seeds/ft 2 at 1 lb. rate is 10.3. Pure stand seeding rate is 3 lb/ac. <strong>No</strong>t recommended in pure stands.<br />
Primrose, Evening<br />
Oenothera pallid<br />
Evening primrose is a moderate growth rate, prostrate to upright native forb that grows from 0.5-1.5 feet in height. It is<br />
considered a good pollinator species flowering from May-June. Its white to pink flowers attracts bees, butterflies and<br />
moths. Average seeds/ft 2 at 1 lb. rate is 16. Pure stand seeding rate is 3 lb/ac. <strong>No</strong>t recommended in pure stands.<br />
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