About

A compact, clump-forming penstemon with mid-green leaves. Flowers are pink to mid pink with a white throat and appear in the summer and autumn.

About the genus

Penstemon may be deciduous or evergreen perennials or subshrubs, with simple, narrow leaves and racemes or panicles of bell-shaped or funnel-shaped flowers in summer and early autumn

Growing conditions

SunlightFull sun, Partial shade
Soil typeChalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectEast-facing, South-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH4

Plant details

Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitClump forming
FoliageSemi evergreen
Height0.5-1 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants, Wildlife gardens

Care notes

CultivationGrow in fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade. In cold areas, protect plant overwinter with a dry winter mulch. See penstemon cultivation for further advice
PruningDeadhead after flowering to maintain vigour. Prune in spring back to where new growth appears.
PropagationPropagate by softwood cuttings in early summer or semi-hardwood cutting in mid summer
Pest resistanceMaybe susceptible to slugs and snails and chrysanthemum eelworm
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to powdery mildew