About
A semi-evergreen perennial to 60cm tall with slender mid green leaves and from summer to autumn tubular flowers of dainty rose shading to white with a white throat finely pencilled in magenta.
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 hardinessH4
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitBushy
FoliageSemi evergreen
Height0.5-1 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCity 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 overwinter with a dry winter mulch. See penstemon cultivation for further advice
PruningDeadhead after flowering to maintain vigour and prolong flowering then cut back to base in late winter or early spring
PropagationPropagate by softwood cuttings in early summer or semi-hardwood cuttings in midsummer
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to slugs, snails and leaf and bud eelworms
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to downy mildews, grey moulds, powdery mildews and a fungal leaf spot