About
Pensham Plum Dandy' is a semi-evergreen perennial to around 100cm high with lance-shaped leaves and, from summer into autumn, upright racemes of dark red flowers, the throats streaked with white.
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
AspectWest-facing, South-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 usesCottage and informal garden, City 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. 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 or semi-ripe cuttings in early summer
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free, though may be susceptible to slugs, snails and chrysanthemum eelworms
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to downy mildews