About
Has rich, purple-pink flowers with prominent white stamens. Compact,lowbranchinggrowing habit, reaching about 60cm.
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
HabitClump forming
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 dry winter mulch - see Penstemon cultivation for further information
PruningDeadhead after flowering to maintain vigour. Then cut back in spring - see Penstemon cultivation
PropagationPropagate by softwood cuttings in early summer or semi-ripe cuttings in midsummer.
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to slugs, snails, glasshouse red spider mite and eelworms
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free, but may be susceptible to powdery mildews