About
A clump-forming, bushy penstemon with mid-green leaves. Flowers are red to dark red 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
PruningDead-head after flowering to maintain vigour. Prune to new shoots lower down in the spring
PropagationPropagate by softwood cuttings in early summer or semi-hardwood cuttings in mid summer
Pest resistanceMaybe susceptible to slugs and snails and chrysanthemum eelworm
Disease resistanceMaybe susceptible to powdery mildew