Calico Beardtongue (Penstemon calycosus)

Difficulty: ⭐⭐☆☆☆
(Moderately easy — produces plenty of seed, but capsules must be watched closely to avoid loss)

Seed Collection Time:

Mid to late summer — typically July into early August, after flowering is finished.

Signs Seeds are Ready:

• Slender, upright seed capsules form after the flowers fade.

• Capsules turn brown and dry, with seams beginning to split near the tips.

• When shaken, mature capsules rattle with small, angular black seeds inside.

• Seeds fall out easily once capsules crack open.

Seed Collection Steps:

1. Clip seed stalks when capsules are fully brown but before they split completely.

2. Place stalks upside down in a paper bag or tray to finish drying for several days.

3. Shake or gently crush capsules over a container to release seeds.

4. Clean seeds with a fine mesh screen to remove chaff.

Germination Tips:

• Benefits from cold-moist stratification for 30–60 days.

• Best sown outdoors in fall or stratified in refrigeration before spring planting.

C(30–60): Store in moist sand/vermiculite in refrigeration, or sow outdoors in fall for natural stratification.

• Seeds should be lightly covered with soil — they do not need light to germinate.