Penstemon 'Port Wine' — Bushy, Clump-forming, Upright

Overview

Penstemon 'Port Wine' is a plant with a bushy, clump-forming, upright habit in the genus Penstemon, part of the Plantaginaceae family, with semi-evergreen foliage. Penstemon 'Port Wine' grows best in full sun, and tolerates most soils and any pH. Suggested uses include city and courtyard gardens, cottage and informal garden, patio and container plants, wildlife gardens and flower borders and beds.

About

Penstemon 'Port Wine' is a bushy, clump-forming, and upright cultivar of the Penstemon genus, known as beardtongues. These semi-evergreen plants thrive in full sun and are suitable for south-, west-, or east-facing aspects, tolerating both exposed and sheltered conditions. They prefer well-drained soils, including chalk, loam, or sand, across a range of pH levels from acid to alkaline. Ideal for city and courtyard gardens, cottage and informal gardens, patios, containers, wildlife gardens, and flower borders, this cultivar can be propagated through softwood or semi-ripe cuttings and 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
Soil type: Chalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pH: Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moisture: Well-drained
Aspect: South-facing, West-facing, East-facing
Exposure: Exposed, Sheltered

Plant details

Penstemon 'Port Wine' size, habit and characteristics

Habit: Bushy, Clump-forming, Upright
Foliage: Semi-evergreen
Suggested uses: City and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants, Wildlife gardens, Flower borders and beds

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Penstemon 'Port Wine'

Propagation: Softwood cuttings in early summer, Semi-ripe cuttings in midsummer, Division in spring
Pest resistance: Slugs, Snails, Aphids, Leaf and bud eelworms
Disease resistance: Powdery mildews, Downy mildews, Grey moulds, Fungal leaf spot

Frequently asked questions

Where is the best place to plant Penstemon 'Port Wine'?

Penstemon 'Port Wine' prefers full sun. It suits exposed and sheltered positions.

What soil does Penstemon 'Port Wine' need?

Penstemon 'Port Wine' is adaptable and grows happily in most soil types, including chalk, loam and sand. It is happy in soil of any pH. Aim for soil that stays well-drained.

How do I propagate Penstemon 'Port Wine'?

Softwood cuttings in early summer, Semi-ripe cuttings in midsummer, Division in spring.

More in the Penstemon genus

Browse all Penstemon →