About
A tall, upright perennial to 1.8m with semi-evergreen basal rosettes and deciduous stems with leaves up to 20cm long. From early summer to early autumn bears loose spires of hanging, tubular red flowers 4cm long.
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
Soil typeChalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAlkaline, Acid, Neutral
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectSouth-facing, East-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH5
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitClump forming
FoliageSemi evergreen
Height1.5-2.5 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Coastal, Patio and container plants, Wildlife gardens, Gravel garden
Care notes
CultivationGrow in fertile, well-drained soil in a sheltered position in full sun or partial shade. In cold areas, protect plant overwinter with a dry mulch. See penstemon cultivation
PruningDeadhead after flowering to maintain vigour, then cut back to base in winter
PropagationPropagate by softwood cuttings in early summer, semi-hardwood cuttings in midsummer, or division in spring
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to slugs, snails and chrysanthemum eelworms
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to downy mildews