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Herbaceous Perennial

Penstemon isophyllus
  • RHS AGM
  • RHS Plants for pollinators

equal-leaved penstemon

An upright woody-based perennial to 70cm in height, with narrow evergreen leaves and one-sided panicles of slender, tubular, bright reddish-pink flowers 3-4cm in length, streaked with crimson in the paler throat

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Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metres
Time to ultimate height
2–5 years
Ultimate spread
0.1–0.5 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green
Summer Pink Red Green
Autumn Green
Winter Green
Position
  • Full sun
  • Partial shade
Aspect

West–facing or South–facing or East–facing

Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H4
Botanical details
Family
Plantaginaceae
Native to GB / Ireland
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

Plant range
Mexico

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in fertile, well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade. In cold areas, protect plant overwinter with a dry winter mulch. See penstemon cultivation for further advice

Propagation

Propagate by softwood cuttings in early summer or semi-hardwood cuttings in midsummer. Propagate by division in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Coastal
  • Gravel garden
  • Patio and container plants
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Flower borders and beds
Pruning

Deadhead after flowering to maintain vigour. Then cut back to base in early spring

Pests

May be susceptible to slugs, snails, glasshouse red spider mite, and leaf and bud eelworms

Diseases

Generally disease-free

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