About
Loose spikes of slender, tubular, bright scarlet flowers are produced from mid-summer to mid-autumn. An upright, clump-forming, semi-evergreen perennial to 1.2m, with narrowly lance-shaped, mid-green leaves. This cultivar can be grown from seed.
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 typeLoam, Chalk, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing, East-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH5
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitClump forming
FoliageSemi evergreen
Height1-1.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden, City and courtyard gardens, Coastal, Gravel garden, Patio and container plants, Wildlife gardens
Care notes
CultivationGrow in fertile, well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade. In cold areas, protect plant over winter with a dry mulch. See penstemon cultivation
PruningRegular deadheading can encourage a longer flowering season. In autumn, cut back to by about a third to tidy and reduce windrock, but leave enough to protect the crown over winter. In mid- to late spring cut back to lowest new shoots
PropagationPropagate by seed, by softwood cuttings in early summer or semi-ripe cuttings in midsummer
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to aphids, slugs, snails and chrysanthemum eelworm
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to Powdery mildews