Overview

Penstemon 'Raven' is a clump forming perennial in the genus Penstemon, part of the Plantaginaceae family, with semi evergreen foliage. Penstemon 'Raven' grows best in full sun, and tolerates most soils and any pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H4. Suggested uses include city and courtyard gardens, coastal, cottage and informal garden, wildlife gardens, flower borders and beds and wall side borders.

About

Penstemon 'Raven' is a cultivated member of the Penstemon genus (family Plantaginaceae), noted for its two-lipped, tubular flowers and the prominent staminode — the characteristic 'beardtongue'. Flowering occurs from June to September. The flowers have petals fused into a tube with an open throat and a bearded palate, and the plants produce seed capsules following flowering.

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

In the garden

Penstemon 'Raven' belongs to a large genus of roughly 280 species native across North America, from northern Canada south to Central America. The group is commonly called beardtongues and sits in the Plantaginaceae following recent taxonomic revision. Members of the genus are identified by their two-lipped corollas with petals fused into a tube, an obvious infertile stamen (the staminode) and seed capsules that follow the blooms. In the UK Penstemon 'Raven' flowers from June to September. Place the plant where the tubular blooms can be appreciated at close range; the fused corolla and bearded throat are the most noticeable features. Allow room for upright flowering stems and remove finished flower spikes if you wish to maintain a tidier outline and encourage further growth. Use Penstemon 'Raven' where its floral form will be on display, for example in a mixed herbaceous border or as a focussed accent among contrasting foliage textures. Inspect the throat of each flower on Penstemon 'Raven' for the dense hairs on the staminode — that bearded feature helps confirm the cultivar.

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

UK hardiness

H4

Plant details

Penstemon 'Raven' size, habit and characteristics

Plant type

Perennial

Habit

Clump forming

Foliage

Semi evergreen

Suggested uses

City and courtyard gardens, Coastal, Cottage and informal garden, Wildlife gardens, Flower borders and beds, Wall side borders

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Penstemon 'Raven'

Cultivation

Prefers well-drained soil and full sun; avoid waterlogging; mulch in winter to protect roots

Pruning

Cut back after flowering to encourage bushier growth and prevent legginess

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

Downy mildews, Grey moulds, Powdery mildews, Fungal leaf spot

Frequently asked questions

More in the Penstemon genus

• 
  Penstemon campanulatusbellflower beardtongue
• 
  Penstemon campanulatus 'Andenken an Hahn'Penstemon
• 
  Penstemon campanulatus 'Evelyn'Beardtongue
• 
  Penstemon campanulatus 'Garnet'Penstemon
• 
  Penstemon campanulatus 'Hidcote Pink'Beardtongue
• 
  Penstemon campanulatus 'Pink Endurance'Beardtongue
• 
  Penstemon cyananthusBlue Penstemon
• 
  Penstemon gloxinioidesBeardtongue