Pentstemon

Pentstemon, a genus of plants belonging to the natural order Scrophulariaceæ, consisting of herbaceous or sub-shrubby species mostly yielding flowers of great beauty. The genus is wholly American, mostly belonging to the warmer states, and few of them are hardy enough to endure the winter climate of Britain, where consequently they are propagated annually by cuttings, which are protected in frames during winter and planted in the flower-garden in March or April. The general character of the inflorescence of Pentstemon is so well known as to require no description here. The numerous garden varieties of P. gentianoides, P. Hartwegii, and others are among the most popular of garden flowers. But there are many species even more beautiful than these, which are occasionally to be met in collections of rare plants. Of such may be mentioned P. Jeffreyanus, P. Secundiflorus, P. Murrayanus, P. minimus, and others, as being exceptionally beautiful in colour.