Overview
Penstemon 'Rich Ruby' is a clump-forming, bushy perennial in the genus Penstemon, part of the Plantaginaceae family, with semi-evergreen foliage. Penstemon 'Rich Ruby' grows best in full sun, and tolerates well-drained soils and any pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H4. Suggested uses include borders, rock gardens and containers.
About
Penstemon 'Rich Ruby' is a perennial cultivar of the Penstemon genus, known as beardtongues, which comprises around 280 species native to North America. This cultivar thrives in full sun and prefers well-drained soil with moderate moisture, making it suitable for borders, rock gardens, and containers. To maintain its appearance and encourage blooming, deadhead spent flowers and cut back in late winter or early spring. Propagation can be done by seed or cuttings.
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
- well-drained
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- moderate
- Aspect
- South-facing, West-facing, East-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed, Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H4
Plant details
Penstemon 'Rich Ruby' size, habit and characteristics
- Plant type
- perennial
- Habit
- Clump-forming, Bushy
- Foliage
- Semi-evergreen
- Suggested uses
- borders, rock gardens, containers
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Penstemon 'Rich Ruby'
- Cultivation
- Prefers well-drained soil and full sun; avoid waterlogged conditions.
- Pruning
- Deadhead spent flowers to encourage further blooming; cut back in late winter or early spring.
- Propagation
- seed, cuttings
- Pest resistance
- Slugs, Snails, Aphids, Leaf and bud eelworms
- Disease resistance
- Downy mildews, Powdery mildews, Grey moulds, Fungal leaf spot
Frequently asked questions
How do I grow Penstemon 'Rich Ruby'?
Prefers well-drained soil and full sun; avoid waterlogged conditions.
Where is the best place to plant Penstemon 'Rich Ruby'?
Penstemon 'Rich Ruby' prefers full sun. It suits exposed and sheltered positions.
What soil does Penstemon 'Rich Ruby' need?
Penstemon 'Rich Ruby' grows best in well-drained soil. It is happy in soil of any pH. Aim for soil that stays moderate.
How do I prune Penstemon 'Rich Ruby'?
Deadhead spent flowers to encourage further blooming; cut back in late winter or early spring.
Is Penstemon 'Rich Ruby' hardy in the UK?
Penstemon 'Rich Ruby' has an RHS hardiness rating of H4, meaning it is hardy through an average UK winter, tolerating -10 to -5°C.
How do I propagate Penstemon 'Rich Ruby'?
Seed, cuttings.
From the Fenn Plants journal
- Notes on DaffodilsWhen to plant daffodil bulbs in the UK, how deep, how to naturalise them in grass, why daffodils stop flowering (“blindness”), and why you should never mix cut daffodils with other flowers.
- Keeping Your NerveHow to garden through a heatwave — the best time to water, why deep soaks beat daily sprinkles, caring for pots and vulnerable plants, and why you can let the lawn go brown.
- Made to LastHow to clean, store and protect garden pots and planters — the frost-proof vs frost-resistant difference, winter care for terracotta and ceramic, and how to reuse a broken pot.
More in the Penstemon genus
- Penstemon 'Raven'Beardtongues
- Penstemon barbatusbearded penstemon
- Penstemon barbatus 'Carnea'Golden-beard Penstemon
- Penstemon campanulatusbellflower beardtongue
- Penstemon campanulatus 'Andenken an Hahn'Penstemon
- Penstemon campanulatus 'Evelyn'Beardtongue
- Penstemon campanulatus 'Garnet'Penstemon
- Penstemon campanulatus 'Hidcote Pink'Beardtongue