Penstemon mensarum
An upright, clump-forming perennial with a basal rosette of rather thick, shiny, bright green, lance-shaped leaves. Upright stems support smaller leaves and produce whorls of vivid blue, tubular flowers with hints of pink and purple, in late spring and summer
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Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Blue | Green | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Blue | Green | ||
| Autumn | Green | |||
| Winter | Green |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or ShelteredDrought resistance
Yes Hardiness
H5Botanical details
- Family
- Plantaginaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Clump forming
- 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
- Name status
Unresolved
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in very well-drained soil in full sun. In cold areas, protect plant over winter with a dry mulch. See penstemon cultivation
Propagation
Propagate by seed, by softwood cuttings in early summer or semi-ripe cuttings in midsummer
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Cottage and informal garden
- Patio and container plants
- Gravel garden
- Flower borders and beds
Pruning
Regular deadheading can encourage a longer flowering season. In autumn, cut back to by about a third to tidy and reduce windrock, but leave enough to protect the crown over winter. In mid- to late spring cut back to lowest new shoots
Pests
May be susceptible to aphids and chrysanthemum eelworm
Diseases
May be susceptible to Powdery mildews
Get involved
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