Penstemon pinifolius �Mersea'
Common Name(s):
Yellow pineleaf Beardtongue
Mersea Yellow Pineleaf Beardtongue
Synonym:
Penstemon pinifolius 'Mersea Yellow'
Mersea Yellow
Flower:
Yellow
Blooms :
Jun
to:
Aug
Lemon yellow tubular flowers that have 2 lobed upper lip and a three lobed lower lip
Botanical Description
Fragrant?
NO
Family:
Scrophulariaceae
Herbaceous Plant, Perennial
Foliage:
Green
Foliage thin, narrow to 1" resembling pine needles
Fall Color?
YES
Green pine needle-like foliages stays green
Evergreen
Photo by:
Heading 6
Foliage remains green
Oregon Native?
NO
West State Native?
NO
Origins:
Sport of species collected in South eastern Arizona
Site Selection
Minimum USDA Hardiness Zone:
4
Water Needs:
L
Sun Needs:
Full Sun
Deer Resistant?
YES
Firewise?
YES
Height:
.75-1'
Spread:
1-1.5'
Growth Rate:
Fast
Native Habitat:
Forested outcrops, dry rpcky
Soil:
Sandy Soil, Average Soil, Low Fertility Soil
Care Recommendations
Maintenance Level:
Low
Fertilizer:
Fertilize sparingly. One time each year in the fall is enough. Apply a light application of an organic or natural fertilizer such as a top dressing around the plants. Don't use high nitrogen water soluble fertilizers.
Mulch:
Mulch with gravel or pine needles in arid climates. No mulch is needed where conditions are moister. Always avoid bark, grass clippings, or compost as mulch materials.
Full sun, excellent drainage, gravel or pine needle mulch, infrequent watering after establishment, late fall/early spring shear for shaping
Long Term:
Winter:
Leave some stems for frost protection and mulch with straw or gravel in winter, if necessary
Spring:
Cut back dead stems to green growth, ensure full sun, excellent drainage, minimal fertilizer if at all, water lightly
Summer:
To keep penstemon that have finely textured or matted evergreen foliage looking their best deadhead them. Shear off the fading flowering spikes just as the plant is going out of flower.
Fall:
Allow some of the plants to set seed (don't deadhead all of the flower spikes). In colder areas, a layer of dry mulch (gravel) should be applied after the first hard freeze.
General Care Comments:
When using drip irrigation, be sure to put the emitter off to the side of the plant, not right on top of the root ball to avoid overwatering the plant. Penstemon are low maintenance. The main requirement for success is that they need to be planted in well drained soil
Common Problems
Dieback, scortching
Diseases:
Powdery mildew, leaf spots, root rot from overwatering
Insects:
Kuschelina flea beetles, seed bugs, aphids, spider mites
Environmental Problems:
Wind can loosen roots in winter
Pests:
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