About
A slow-growing, mound-and mat-forming, evergreen perennial to 25cm, with oval, leathery, grey-green leaves. Ideal for rock garden or alpine house. Short, upright sprays of tubular, bright pinky-red flowers 3cm long are produced in early summer.
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 typeLoam, Chalk, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH5
Plant details
Plant typeAlpine Rockery
HabitClump forming, Matforming
FoliageEvergreen
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants, Gravel garden, Rock garden, Coastal, Wildlife gardens
Care notes
CultivationGrow in poor to moderately fertile, very well-drained soil in full sun, with protection from winter wet. See penstemon cultivation
PruningDeadhead after flowering
PropagationPropagate by softwood cuttings in early summer or semi-ripe cuttings in midsummer
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free