Penstemons 2001: Treks in the Umatilla National Forest, Oregon

Three days of Penstemon and Wildflower Trekking!

I managed to make it to Walla Walla in plenty of time to find a motel and to meet up with fellow enthusiasts at Whitman College. Our hosts had things very well-organized, with maps and plant lists. The day's trip took us through the beautiful valley of Mill Creek. Along the roadside in the Walla Walla basin fragrant Rosa woodsii was blooming profusely in fence rows and hedges. Our caravan of cars climbed high onto the uplifted flows and dikes of some of the oldest Columbia River Basalts. As we climbed out of the basin onto the high ridges of basalt, some penstemon and wildflower stops were in order.

Penstemon deustus enjoys a sunny spot among the basalt cliffs and scree

P. deustus sets profuse and very fine seed, but when coddled by gardeners, it is often reluctant to germinate. Adapted to exposed conditions, it may require several cycles of heat and cold to germinate. In cultivation, it favors a rock garden, or better yet --a crevice garden or a lean sand bed.

Clarkia pulchella, a charming annual with deeply-lobed petals that pops up in open spots with good drainage and just a bit of organic material in the soil.

Castilleja miniata. are found in this region in colors ranging from soft peach to brilliant scarlet and orange. Those who are interested in trying their hand at growing Paintbrush should consult Ken Sherman's article, "Castillejas: Meeting the Challenge" in the Rock Garden Quarterly (published by the North American Rock Garden Society) Volume 54 Number 2 - Spring 1996. From his Bend, Oregon garden, Ken supplies tip for propagation and seed germination. Native American lore tells a charming story of the origin of "Indian Paintbrush". A young man was left behind on a hunt because of his physical weakness. Looking for a way to contribute to his people, he began to paint the splendor of nature with great ardor and devotion. He became inspired by the colors of the sunset, but could not find their brilliance among the earth or flowers that supplied his pallette. Coyote, who was sympathetic, supplied him with brushes of brilliant oranges and pinks. However, he then became so jealous of the youth's talent that he splashed the hillsides with rival swaths of color.

Penstemon attenuatus is found in a variety of habitats and forms. It will grow at the edge of the pine forests or in the open slopes and high meadows. Alas, my little digital camera does not do the rich glittering blue forms much justice, but you can at least get a small glimpse of this beauty. Occasionally creamy white forms are reported, but we did not find any on this trip.

Friday evening, after a splendid tour of Jim and Susan Swayne's garden, we gathered for dinner at Three Rivers Winery Because I had been awake for nearly twenty-four hours, I declined the lovely wines. The food and hospitality were excellent. Even without having tasted the wine, I would recommend this small, but very elegant winery for any gathering of up to 75 people. Andrea Wolfe updated us on her extensive penstemon research. My ears pricked up when she indicated that molecular analysis is showing definite basis for P. cardwelii and P. fruticosus to be considered separate species. We sure are living in exciting times for botany. These newer analytical tools are unearthing a mother-lode of information about plant systematics and evolution. Be sure to visit Andrea's Penstemon Website. Bruce Barnes demonstrated his commercial plant database and key with impressive software.

On Saturday's jaunt we found Penstemon fruticosus that smothers itself with flowers! Dasantheras favor areas with lean and stony volcanic soils. These soils are pH neutral or slightly acidic. The low-growing "shrubbies" thrive as crevice plants and when accomodated will ramble many feet from their select crevice. Being opportunistic, they will root into crevices along the way, thus spreading to dramatic proportions. They will root easily in cultivation in damp sand or pumice. When protected from excess moisture, they make wonderful rock garden or sand bed plants. Eastern North American and European gardeners report great success growing Dasantheras in beds of sand, containers, or rock crevices.

Encrusted (Crustose) lichens thrive on the basalt outcrops above the north fork of the Umatilla. Most often, it is the fungal component that provides the structure of the lichen. Although they are adaptable, it is sometimes difficult to import then into the rock garden. Some are so tough as to grow on old tin cans and junk, while others are so sensitive that they will die if moved from their select niche.

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