Penstemon barbatus 'Carnea' (Golden-beard Penstemon) — Bushy, upright, semi-woody at the base

Overview

Penstemon barbatus 'Carnea' is a bushy, upright, semi-woody at the base perennial in the genus Penstemon, part of the Plantaginaceae family, with semi-evergreen or evergreen; narrow, glossy, mid to dark green foliage. Penstemon barbatus 'Carnea' grows best in full sun, and tolerates most soils and neutral to alkaline pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H3-H5.

About

Penstemon barbatus 'Carnea' is a perennial penstemon with well-branched, upright stems and semi-woody growth at the base. It bears narrow, glossy mid to dark green leaves that are semi-evergreen or evergreen in mild sites. Flowering runs from June to September. Give a sunny, sheltered, south- or west-facing spot in light, free-draining soil.

Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Penstemon barbatus

About the genus

Penstemon, the beardtongues, is a large genus of roughly 280 species of flowering plants native to North America from northern Canada to Central America. It is the largest genus of flowering plants endemic to North America. As well as being the scientific name, penstemon is also widely used as a common name for all Penstemon species alongside beardtongues.

Wikipedia contributors, "Penstemon", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Penstemon

In the garden

Penstemon barbatus 'Carnea' is a perennial in the Plantaginaceae with a multi-stemmed, upright habit and semi-woody lower stems. The foliage is narrow and glossy, remaining semi-evergreen where winters are mild and exposure is sheltered. Flowering occurs from June to September. Place the plant in full sun on a south- or west-facing aspect where shelter reduces winter exposure. It prefers light, fertile, free-draining loam or sand and neutral to alkaline pH; poor drainage and winter wet are the most common causes of loss. Plant so the crown sits slightly above the surrounding soil if the site is prone to winter moisture, and avoid heavy, compacted substrate. In UK gardens it suits sunny, sheltered borders and any free-draining bank or sandy area where the soil does not remain cold and waterlogged. Hardiness ranges from H3 to H5 (borderline to hardy), so choose a site protected from prevailing winds and excessive winter wet in cooler regions. The narrow, glossy leaves retain colour through milder winters while the flowering season reliably runs from June to September.

Growing conditions

Best soil and position for Penstemon

Sunlight: Full sun
Soil type: Light, fertile, free-draining loam or sand
Soil pH: Neutral to alkaline
Soil moisture: Well drained; winter wet causes most losses
Aspect: South or west facing
Exposure: Sheltered
UK hardiness: H3-H5

Plant details

Penstemon barbatus 'Carnea' size, habit and characteristics

Plant type: Perennial
Habit: Bushy, upright, semi-woody at the base
Foliage: Semi-evergreen or evergreen; narrow, glossy, mid to dark green

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Penstemon barbatus 'Carnea'

Cultivation: Drainage and shelter decide whether a penstemon is perennial or annual in your garden. Plant in spring rather than autumn so the roots establish before winter, and leave the top growth standing until spring as crown protection. Regular deadheading is what sustains the extraordinarily long season. Given the modest hardiness of most cultivars, taking cuttings every summer is sensible insurance.
Pruning: Leave stems intact over winter, then cut back to low healthy buds in mid-spring once frosts have passed. Deadhead continuously through summer, cutting spent spikes to a side shoot.
Propagation: Semi-ripe cuttings taken in late summer root quickly and are the standard method - and the usual replacement for winter losses. Species can be raised from seed.
Pest resistance: Slugs take young spring shoots; capsid bug and eelworm occur but are uncommon.
Disease resistance: Powdery mildew and leaf spot appear on crowded plants. Root rot follows winter waterlogging.

Frequently asked questions

How do I grow Penstemon barbatus 'Carnea'?

Drainage and shelter decide whether a penstemon is perennial or annual in your garden. Plant in spring rather than autumn so the roots establish before winter, and leave the top growth standing until spring as crown protection. Regular deadheading is what sustains the extraordinarily long season. Given the modest hardiness of most cultivars, taking cuttings every summer is sensible insurance.

Where is the best place to plant Penstemon barbatus 'Carnea'?

Penstemon barbatus 'Carnea' prefers full sun. It suits sheltered positions.

What soil does Penstemon barbatus 'Carnea' need?

Penstemon barbatus 'Carnea' is adaptable and grows happily in most soil types, including light, fertile and free-draining loam or sand. It prefers neutral to alkaline soil. Aim for soil that stays well drained; winter wet causes most losses.

How do I prune Penstemon barbatus 'Carnea'?

Leave stems intact over winter, then cut back to low healthy buds in mid-spring once frosts have passed. Deadhead continuously through summer, cutting spent spikes to a side shoot.

Is Penstemon barbatus 'Carnea' hardy in the UK?

Penstemon barbatus 'Carnea' has an RHS hardiness rating of H3, meaning it is half-hardy, tolerating -5 to 1°C, and may need winter protection in colder areas.

How do I propagate Penstemon barbatus 'Carnea'?

Semi-ripe cuttings taken in late summer root quickly and are the standard method - and the usual replacement for winter losses. Species can be raised from seed.

More in the Penstemon genus

Browse all Penstemon →