Overview
Penstemon 'Woodpecker' is a plant with a bushy, clump-forming, upright habit in the genus Penstemon, part of the Plantaginaceae family, with semi-evergreen foliage. Penstemon 'Woodpecker' grows best in full sun, and tolerates most soils and any pH. Suggested uses include city and courtyard gardens, cottage and informal garden, patio and container plants, wildlife gardens and flower borders and beds.
About
Penstemon 'Woodpecker' is a bushy, clump-forming, upright cultivar of the Penstemon genus, known as beardtongues, which comprises around 280 species native to North America. This semi-evergreen plant thrives in full sun and adapts well to a variety of soil types including chalk, loam, and sand, with a preference for well-drained conditions across acid, alkaline, and neutral pH levels. Suitable for city and courtyard gardens, cottage and informal gardens, patios, containers, wildlife gardens, and flower borders, it can be propagated by softwood cuttings in early summer, semi-ripe cuttings in midsummer, or division in spring.
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
- Chalk, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, West-facing, East-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed, Sheltered
Plant details
Penstemon 'Woodpecker' size, habit and characteristics
- Habit
- Bushy, Clump-forming, Upright
- Foliage
- Semi-evergreen
- Suggested uses
- City and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants, Wildlife gardens, Flower borders and beds
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Penstemon 'Woodpecker'
- 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
- Powdery mildews, Downy mildews, Grey moulds, Fungal leaf spot
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to plant Penstemon 'Woodpecker'?
Penstemon 'Woodpecker' prefers full sun. It suits exposed and sheltered positions.
What soil does Penstemon 'Woodpecker' need?
Penstemon 'Woodpecker' is adaptable and grows happily in most soil types, including chalk, loam and sand. It is happy in soil of any pH. Aim for soil that stays well-drained.
How do I propagate Penstemon 'Woodpecker'?
Softwood cuttings in early summer, Semi-ripe cuttings in midsummer, Division in spring.
More in the Penstemon genus
- Penstemon 'Raven'Beardtongues
- 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
