64 MAYFAIR NURSERIES, Box 87, Hillsdale, N. J. 
Photo by G. G. Nearing 
Pachysandra procumbens, 
PENSTEMON. Beard Tongue. (Scrophulariaceae, Figwort Family) 
Penstemon aridus. Little tufts of narrow green leaves about two inches high and erect 
flower stems from 4 to 6 inches high with spikes of little purple-blue flowers in 
June. A tiny plant from the Rockies for a rock crevice. It likes a well drained, 
gritty lime soil in full sun, (pH 7-8) 
Penstemon caespitosus. A tiny creeper that makes neat little cushions about half an inch 
high, with very tiny thyme-like leaves. Little lilac colored flowers on one inch 
stems in May and June. A pretty plant for a hot sunny spot in a well drained, gritty 
lime soil. (pH 7-8) It is nice between stepping stones or on a wall. 
Penstemon coloradoensis. One of the best and prettiest in the list. A creeping, shrubby 
species that forms undulating mounds of silvery foliage about 4 inches high, with 
a gay profusion of showy flowers that vary from pink to lavender-blue. It likes a 
dry sunny spot in a well drained gritty lime soil. (pH 7-8) A nice wall plant. 
Penstemon crandallii. Very similar to the above in habit of growth but the leaves are 
broader and the flowers are a clear shade of blue. It blooms in May and June. 
Another one from the Rockies that requires a well drained gritty lime soil in full 
sun. (pH 7-8) 
Penstemon davidsonii. A fast creeping prostrate shrub with very attractive thick leath- 
ery rounded leaves that are a dark glossy green. It makes an outstanding evergreen 
mat about half an inch thick with ascending stems bearing rather large purple flow- 
ers in May and June. One of the easiest of the Rocky Mountain species to grow. It 
likes a well drained gritty soil in full sun. (pH 6-8) It loves to grow over pockets of 
almost pure gravel, An exceptionally fine wall plant. 
Penstemon dissectus. An Eastern native plant quite new to cultivation. It grows into 
large attractive clumps of dark green, deeply cut leaves on tall upright stems from 
12 to 18 inches high, topped with a spike of purple flowers in June and July. An 
easy plant to grow in any ordinary garden soil in sun or light shade. (pH 6-8) Use- 
ful in the rock garden and perennial border or at the edge of the wild garden. 
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