Overview
Penstemon campanulatus 'Andenken an Hahn' 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 campanulatus 'Andenken an Hahn' grows best in full sun, and tolerates most soils and neutral to alkaline pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H3-H5.
About
Penstemon campanulatus 'Andenken an Hahn' is a perennial penstemon with a well-branched, upright habit and a semi-woody base. It bears narrow, glossy mid to dark green leaves that are semi-evergreen to evergreen. Flowering runs from June to September. Plant in full sun on light, fertile, free-draining loam or sand, in a south- or west-facing, sheltered spot.
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 campanulatus 'Andenken an Hahn' is a perennial in the Plantaginaceae with a well-branched, upright habit and a semi-woody base. The foliage is narrow and glossy, mid to dark green, and may remain through milder winters as semi-evergreen or evergreen. Flowering occurs from June to September. Give it full sun in light, fertile, free-draining loam or sand with a neutral to alkaline pH. Choose a south- or west-facing, sheltered position and avoid winter wet, which causes most losses; good drainage is essential. Hardiness is H3–H5 (borderline to hardy), so it will perform across much of the UK provided colder, exposed sites are avoided for the more tender H3 situations. Use Penstemon campanulatus 'Andenken an Hahn' where a sun-loving, well-drained plant is needed: sunny sheltered borders and sandy or free-draining beds suit it best. Its semi-woody base and persistent narrow leaves give structure outside the main flowering months, and the extended flowering season makes it useful for summer borders where winter standing water is not an issue.
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 campanulatus 'Andenken an Hahn' 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 campanulatus 'Andenken an Hahn'
- 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 campanulatus 'Andenken an Hahn'?
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 campanulatus 'Andenken an Hahn'?
Penstemon campanulatus 'Andenken an Hahn' prefers full sun. It suits sheltered positions.
What soil does Penstemon campanulatus 'Andenken an Hahn' need?
Penstemon campanulatus 'Andenken an Hahn' 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 campanulatus 'Andenken an Hahn'?
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 campanulatus 'Andenken an Hahn' hardy in the UK?
Penstemon campanulatus 'Andenken an Hahn' 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 campanulatus 'Andenken an Hahn'?
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
- Penstemon 'Raven'Beardtongues
- Penstemon campanulatusbellflower beardtongue
- Penstemon campanulatus 'Evelyn'Beardtongue
- Penstemon campanulatus 'Garnet'Penstemon
- Penstemon campanulatus 'Hidcote Pink'Beardtongue
- Penstemon campanulatus 'Pink Endurance'Beardtongue
- Penstemon cyananthusBlue Penstemon
- Penstemon gloxinioidesBeardtongue
