Penstemon 'Windsor Red'
penstemon 'Windsor Red'
A semi-evergreen herbaceous perennial, 75cm high, with green leaves, and many rich red flowers with red and white throats from early summer to late autumn
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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
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Red | Green | ||
| Autumn | Red | Green | ||
| Winter | Green |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
West–facing or East–facing or South–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H5Botanical details
- Family
- Plantaginaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Semi 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
Accepted
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun or light shade in a position sheltered from frosts and drying winds; in autumn, cut plants down by two-thirds of their height and protect with a dry mulch; for more advice, see penstemon cultivation
Propagation
Propagate by softwood cuttings in early summer or semi-ripe cuttings in midsummer, by division in spring, or by layering
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Cottage and informal garden
- Flower borders and beds
Pruning
Deadhead to encourage a longer flowering season; in autumn, cut plants down to about a third of their height to prevent windrock but leave some protection from frosts; in late spring or early summer after new growth appears and after frosts are over, cut out old stems
Pests
May be susceptible to slugs and snails, and by chrysanthemum eelworm
Diseases
Generally disease-free but may be affected by powdery mildews and grey moulds
Get involved
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