Penstemon gloxinioides 'Schoenholzeri' (Penstemon) — Bushy, upright, semi-woody at the base

Overview

Penstemon gloxinioides 'Schoenholzeri' 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 gloxinioides 'Schoenholzeri' grows best in full sun, and tolerates most soils and neutral to alkaline pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H3-H5.

About

Penstemon gloxinioides 'Schoenholzeri' is a perennial in the family Plantaginaceae that flowers from June to September. It forms an upright, well-branched habit with a semi-woody base and narrow, glossy mid to dark green leaves that remain semi-evergreen or evergreen in milder sites. Give it a sunny, sheltered position on free-draining soil to avoid winter losses. It favours neutral to alkaline conditions and shows its best flowering on south- or west-facing sites.

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

A cultivar of the large Penstemon genus, Penstemon gloxinioides 'Schoenholzeri' sits in the Plantaginaceae and traces its broader lineage to North American beardtongues. As a perennial it produces a multi-stemmed, upright framework with semi-woody growth at the base and narrow glossy foliage that can persist through the year where winters are mild. Flowering runs from June to September, supplying a steady display across summer. Plant it in full sun on a light, fertile, free-draining loam or sandy soil with a neutral to alkaline pH; a south or west aspect is ideal. The plant dislikes winter wet and most losses occur where crowns remain saturated through cold months, so siting on a slight rise or adding grit to the planting hole helps drainage. A sheltered spot reduces wind damage to the semi-woody stems. Use Penstemon gloxinioides 'Schoenholzeri' at the front to middle of a sunny border, in gravel or sand gardens where soil drainage is excellent, or against a warm, sheltered wall. After flowering, trimming back spent stems to a low framework helps keep the plant compact and reduces the risk of crown rot from decaying material close to the base.

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 gloxinioides 'Schoenholzeri' 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 gloxinioides 'Schoenholzeri'

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 gloxinioides 'Schoenholzeri'?

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 gloxinioides 'Schoenholzeri'?

Penstemon gloxinioides 'Schoenholzeri' prefers full sun. It suits sheltered positions.

What soil does Penstemon gloxinioides 'Schoenholzeri' need?

Penstemon gloxinioides 'Schoenholzeri' 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 gloxinioides 'Schoenholzeri'?

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 gloxinioides 'Schoenholzeri' hardy in the UK?

Penstemon gloxinioides 'Schoenholzeri' 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 gloxinioides 'Schoenholzeri'?

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

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