About
This semi-evergreen perennial up to 50cm high with oval green leaves and scarlet flowers with white throats in 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
Soil typeChalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing, East-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH4
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitClump forming
FoliageSemi evergreen
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Wildlife gardens
Care notes
CultivationGrow in fertile, 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
PruningPruning group 14 (Pruning herbaceous perennials); deadhead to encourage a longer flowering season; in cold areas in autumn, cut plants down to about a third of their height to prevent windrock but leave some protection from frosts; when new growth appears in spring cut out old flower stems
PropagationPropagate by softwood cuttings, division, or layering
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to slugs and snails and chrysanthemum eelworm but 'Bubblegum' is said to be resistant to slugs and snails and generally pest-free
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to powdery mildews but generally disease-free