About
This low mound- and mat-forming, evergreen perennial to 8cm, with small, rounded, leathery, blue-green leaves. Ideal for rock garden or alpine house. Short, upright sprays of narrowly bell-shaped, rose-pink flowers 3.5cm long are produced in late spring and early summer.
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
Soil typeLoam, Chalk, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH5
Plant details
Plant typeAlpine Rockery
HabitClump forming, Matforming
FoliageEvergreen
HeightUp to 10 cm
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants, Gravel garden, Rock garden, Coastal, Wildlife gardens
Care notes
CultivationGrow in poor to moderately fertile, very gritty, well-drained soil in full sun. In cold areas, protect plant overwinter with a dry winter mulch. See penstemon cultivation for further advice
PruningDeadhead after flowering
PropagationPropagate by softwood cuttings in early summer or semi-ripe cuttings in midsummer
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free