Palmer's Penstemon Seeds - Native Drought-Tolerant Wildflower Seeds

🌱 Outdoor Direct Sowing

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  Best Time:
  
  
  Fall (late October–December): Ideal in cold-winter areas; natural winter chilling (cold stratification) helps break seed dormancy.
  
  Early Spring: Can work if you pre-chill the seeds (see stratification below).
  
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  Site Selection:
  
  Choose a full sun site (6–8+ hours of direct sunlight).
  
  Well-drained, sandy, gravelly, or rocky soil is best; avoid heavy clay or poorly drained spots.
  
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  Soil Prep:
  
  Loosen top 2–3 inches of soil; rake smooth.
  
  You can mix in coarse sand or fine gravel to improve drainage if needed.
  
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  Seed Treatment:
  
  Cold stratification recommended: Mix seeds with moist sand or vermiculite in a sealed bag and refrigerate for 6–8 weeks before sowing if planting in spring.
  
  If sowing in fall, natural winter cold usually provides this.
  
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  Sowing Depth:
  
  Scatter seeds on soil surface and lightly press or cover with 1/8 inch of fine soil or sand (they need some light to germinate).
  
  Water lightly after sowing.
  
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  Watering:
  
  Keep soil evenly moist but not soggy until seedlings emerge (usually 14–30 days once conditions warm).
  
  After seedlings establish, reduce watering — plants prefer dry to moderately moist conditions.
  

🌿 Indoor or Greenhouse Starting

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  Timing:
  
  Start seeds indoors 8–10 weeks before last expected frost if you want transplants.
  
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  Stratification:
  
  Cold-moist stratify seeds in refrigerator 6–8 weeks before sowing (place seeds in damp paper towel or sand inside a sealed bag).
  
• 
  Sowing Medium:
  
  Use a well-draining seed mix (with sand or perlite).
  
  Press seeds lightly into surface and barely cover — they need light for best germination.
  
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  Light & Temperature:
  
  Provide bright light (grow lights or sunny window).
  
  Germinates best at 60–70°F after chilling period.
  
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  Transplanting:
  
  Harden off seedlings after last frost; plant in sunny, well-drained spot.
  
  Space 12–18 inches apart to allow for mature clumps.
  

💡 Growing Tips

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  Once established, Palmer’s penstemon is very drought-tolerant and dislikes overwatering.
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  Deadhead spent flower spikes after blooming to encourage stronger root growth (or leave some seed heads for self-seeding).
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  Avoid heavy fertilization — too much nitrogen can lead to weak, floppy growth.
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  Excellent for xeriscapes, pollinator gardens, and dry slopes.