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The Forest Service National Center for Reforestation, Nurseries, and Genetic Resources (RNGR) is a leading source of technical information for nurseries and land managers regarding production and planting of trees and other native plants for reforestation, restoration, and conservation.

 
NPN Protocol Details Image

Penstemon (venustus)

Lee Riley
Horticulturist
USDA FS - Dorena Genetic Resource Center
34963 Shoreview Road
Cottage Grove, Oregon 97424
541-915-7324
541-767-5709 (fax)
lee.riley@usda.gov
Family Scientific Name: Scrophulariales
Family Common Name: Figwort
Scientific Name: Penstemon venustus
Common Name: Venus Penstemon
Species Code: PEVE2
Ecotype: Central Idaho
General Distribution: Lower 48 states
Propagation Goal: Plants
Propagation Method: Seed
ProductType: Container (plug)
Stock Type: 262 ml (16 in3) container
Time To Grow: 17 weeks
Target Specifications: Stock Type: Container seedling Root System: Firm plug in container.
Pre-Planting Treatments: Seeds are placed in a solution of 250 mg/L GA3, soaked for 24 hours, rinsed, and soaked for an additional 4 hours in water. Seeds are sown into trays filled with stabilized medium plugs (Q-plugs). Trays are sealed inside plastic boxes and placed into cold stratification (1 to 3 °C) for 60 days. Trays are checked weekly and kept moist throughout the stratification period. If mold is evident, trays should be treated with 1% hydrogen peroxide.
Growing Area Preparation/
Annual Practices for Perennial Crops:		 Greenhouse growing facility.
Q-plugs are lightly covered with nursery grit. Seedlings are transplanted to target containers when germination complete and secondary leaves have appeared (approximately 4 weeks following removal from stratification).
Growing medium in the transplant containers consists of 40:20:20:20 peat:composted fir bark:perlite:pumice with Nutricote controlled release fertilizer (18N:6P2O5:8K2O with minors; 180-d release rate at 21C) at the rate of 1.5 gram Nutricote per 262 ml container.
Establishment Phase: Germination is fairly uniform and is usually complete in 2 to 3 weeks. Following germination (while still in Q-plugs), plants are fertilized with soluble 12-2-14-6Ca-3Mg at 75 to 100 ppm for 2 weeks.
Length of Establishment Phase: 2 to 3 weeks
Active Growth Phase: During the growing season, fertilization depends on weather and physiological needs. Soluble 20-9-20 NPK, 20-18-18 NPK, or 17-5-24 NPK at 100 to 150 ppm is applied weekly throughout the growing season.
Length of Active Growth Phase: 14 weeks
Hardening Phase: No dry-down is done to induce dormancy. Seedlings are moved to an outdoor growing area in mid-September.
Length of Hardening Phase: 3 to 4 weeks depending on chilling hours
Harvesting, Storage and Shipping: Harvest Date: Mid to late October
Storage Conditions: Seedlings are usually outplanted in fall. No storage except in outdoor growing area. Plants are well irrigated prior to shipping if shipped in containers. Plugs can also be extracted and packed in boxes for shipping and stored in cooler storage for 1 to 2 weeks.
Length of Storage: Maximum of 1 to 2 weeks in cooler.
Other Comments: Perennial herb.
Found in California, Idaho, Oregon, Utah, and Washington.
Requires medium water use and full sun.
Recognized by pollination ecologists as attracting large amounts of native bees.
Considered as desirable forage for deer, antelope, and birds.
Except for one species, the genus Penstemon does not occur naturally outside of North America.
Does best in well drained soils.
Have excellent cold winter and drought tolerance.
Usually found in open areas, but will tolerate semi-shaded conditions.
Not fire tolerant, but are fire resistant.
Disease problems are minimal, except under irrigation. Fusarium wilt can be a problem under irrigation.
Primarily used as a forb component for restoration and wildlife enhancement projects.
Found at elevations ranging from 1,000-6,000 feet.
Prefers sunny, open slopes of mountain valleys and foothills on dry, rocky, exposed locations.
Does not tolerate poorly drained soils.
USDA plant hardiness: 4a-8b.
Seed from colder winter sites have a longer chill (stratification) requirement and are slower to establish than seed from warmer winter sites.
References: Dorena Genetic Resource Center Propagation Records, unpublished.

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. Penstemon venustus Douglas ex Lindl. URL: https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=PEVE2 (Accessed 28 February 2024).
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. Penstemon venustus Douglas ex Lindl. Venus penstemon. URL: https://plants.usda.gov/home/plantProfile?symbol=PEVE2 (Accessed 28 February 2024).
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. Plant Guide. Penstemon venustus Douglas ex Lindl. URL: chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/plantmaterials/idpmcpg10758.pdf (Accessed 28 February 2024).

Citation:

Riley, Lee E.; Klein, Kassandra. 2024. Propagation protocol for production of Container (plug) Penstemon venustus Plants 262 ml (16 in3) container; USDA FS - Dorena Genetic Resource Center Cottage Grove, Oregon. In: Native Plant Network. URL: https://NativePlantNetwork.org (accessed 2025/02/24). US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, National Center for Reforestation, Nurseries, and Genetic Resources.