Overview
Penstemon 'Pensham Eleanor Young' is a plant with a upright, clump-forming habit in the genus Penstemon, part of the Plantaginaceae family, with semi-evergreen foliage. Penstemon 'Pensham Eleanor Young' grows best in full sun and partial shade, and tolerates most soils and any pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H4. Suggested uses include borders, cottage gardens and containers.
About
Penstemon 'Pensham Eleanor Young' is a semi-evergreen, upright, clump-forming cultivar of the Penstemon genus, commonly known as beardtongues. These plants are native to North America and thrive in full sun or partial shade, making them suitable for south-, west-, or east-facing aspects. They prefer well-drained soils of various types, including chalk, clay, loam, and sand, across a range of pH levels from acid to alkaline. This versatile cultivar is ideal for borders, cottage gardens, and containers, and can be propagated through softwood or semi-ripe cuttings, as well as division.
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
Growing conditions
Best soil and position for Penstemon
- Sunlight
- Full sun, Partial shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, West-facing, East-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed, Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H4
Plant details
Penstemon 'Pensham Eleanor Young' size, habit and characteristics
- Habit
- Upright, Clump-forming
- Foliage
- Semi-evergreen
- Suggested uses
- Borders, Cottage gardens, Containers
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Penstemon 'Pensham Eleanor Young'
- Propagation
- Softwood cuttings, Semi-ripe cuttings, Division
- Pest resistance
- Slugs, Snails, Aphids
- Disease resistance
- Powdery mildew
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to plant Penstemon 'Pensham Eleanor Young'?
Penstemon 'Pensham Eleanor Young' prefers full sun and partial shade. It suits exposed and sheltered positions.
What soil does Penstemon 'Pensham Eleanor Young' need?
Penstemon 'Pensham Eleanor Young' is adaptable and grows happily in most soil types, including chalk, clay, loam and sand. It is happy in soil of any pH. Aim for soil that stays well-drained.
Is Penstemon 'Pensham Eleanor Young' hardy in the UK?
Penstemon 'Pensham Eleanor Young' has an RHS hardiness rating of H4, meaning it is hardy through an average UK winter, tolerating -10 to -5°C.
How do I propagate Penstemon 'Pensham Eleanor Young'?
Softwood cuttings, Semi-ripe cuttings, Division.
From the Fenn Plants journal
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- Made to LastHow to clean, store and protect garden pots and planters — the frost-proof vs frost-resistant difference, winter care for terracotta and ceramic, and how to reuse a broken pot.
More in the Penstemon genus
- Penstemon 'Raven'Beardtongues
- Penstemon barbatusbearded penstemon
- Penstemon barbatus 'Carnea'Golden-beard Penstemon
- Penstemon campanulatusbellflower beardtongue
- Penstemon campanulatus 'Andenken an Hahn'Penstemon
- Penstemon campanulatus 'Evelyn'Beardtongue
- Penstemon campanulatus 'Garnet'Penstemon
- Penstemon campanulatus 'Hidcote Pink'Beardtongue