About
An upright, hardy, drought-tolerant, clump-forming deciduous to semi-evergreen perennial with lance-shaped dark green foliage and long-lasting, flared, tubular pink-red flowers with striped white throats appearing from June to September. Good for the edge of flower borders or in a large rock garden.
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
AspectEast-facing, South-facing, West-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH3
Plant details
Plant typeAlpine Rockery, Herbaceous Perennial
HabitColumnar upright
FoliageDeciduous, Semi evergreen
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Mediterranean climate plants, Cottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants, Wildlife gardens
Care notes
CultivationGrow in fertile, moist but 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 and prolong flowering, then cut back to 15cm in late winter or early spring
PropagationPropagate by softwood cuttings in early summer or semi-hardwood cuttings in midsummer. Propagate by division in spring
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to slugs, snails, aphids and leaf and bud eelworms
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free but may be susceptible to powdery mildews and grey moulds