About
Papal Purple' is a low-growing, herbaceous perennial to around 50cm high with semi-evergreen, lance-shaped leaves and, from summer into early autumn, purple bell-shaped flowers with white throats.
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
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH4
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitBushy
FoliageSemi evergreen
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Coastal, Gravel garden, Wildlife gardens
Care notes
CultivationGrow in fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun or light shade in a position sheltered from frosts and drying winds; in autumn protect with a dry mulch; for more advice, see penstemon cultivation
PruningDeadhead to encourage a longer flowering season; in autumn, cut plants down to about a third of their height to prevent windrock but leave some protection from frosts; in late spring or early summer after new growth appears and after frosts are over, cut out old stems
PropagationPropagate by softwood cuttings in early summer or semi-ripe cuttings in midsummer
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to slugs and snails, and leaf and bud eelworms
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to powdery mildews and grey moulds but generally disease-free