Penstemon rupicola
rock penstemon
P. rupicola is a creeping dwarf evergreen sub-shrub to 6cm in height, with small, rounded glaucous leaves and tubular, two-lipped rosy-pink flowers 3cm in length opening from late spring
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Size
Ultimate height
Up to 10cmTime to ultimate height
5–10 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Pink | Green Grey Silver | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Pink | Green Grey Silver | ||
| Autumn | Green Grey Silver | |||
| Winter | Green Grey Silver |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing or North–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H5Botanical details
- Family
- Plantaginaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Matforming
- 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
Correct
- Plant range
- W North America
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in poor to moderately fertile, very gritty, well-drained soil in full sun. The plant illustrated here is the cultivar 'Diamond Lake'
Propagation
Propagate by seed
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Patio and container plants
- Rock garden
- Gravel garden
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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