Penstemon

An excellent plant for the border or cottage garden penstemons are long flowering and will provide flowers from late summer through autumn. Well known for the tubular bell like flowers ranging from white through to blues, reds and pinks (see picture right)

A plant that has been in and out of favour since first introduced in the Victorian era todays penstemon cultivars are hardier than those of earlier eras. Also known as Beard tongue, penstemon also make a good cut flower.

The species P.hartwegii is the parent of many many modern cultivars which have larger flowers and are a little more tolerant of frosts than others. P.Alice Hindley is a popular cultivar that will reach nearly 1m in good conditions, an upright plant with very attractive tubular mauve flowers.

Care and cultivation Information

Sun to part shade, penstemon tolerate a range of soil conditions. A humus rich moist but well drained soil is best. Penstemon can be deadheaded to promote a second flush of flowers but cutting back hard is best left until late winter to early spring to provide some protection from frosts. We fertilize with a liquid seaweed fertilizer and top dress with some mulch and well rotted manure and compost.