About
Forms a dense, bushy plant to around 80cm tall. Deep red-pink flowers are borne from summer into autumn on upright spikes.
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 typeChalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing, East-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH5
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitBushy
FoliageSemi evergreen
Height0.5-1 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Coastal, 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
PruningDeadhead regularly, or after flowering, cut back flowered stems by a half to encourage further flowering. In spring after the danger of frost has passed, cut back to just above new shoots or to the lowest healthy leaves
PropagationPropagate by softwood cuttings in spring or semi-hardwood cuttings in midsummer or by division in spring
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to slugs, snails and eelworms
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to powdery mildews