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Herbaceous Perennial

Penstemon 'Music Maker' (Elgar Series)
  • RHS Plants for pollinators

penstemon 'Music Maker'

A semi-evergreen perennial to around 60cm tall with narrow mid-green leaves and bell-shaped pink flowers, eachwith a paler pink throat borne on upright stems from summer into early autumn

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 Green
Autumn Pink Green
Winter Green
Position
  • Full sun
  • Partial shade
Aspect

South–facing or East–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H4
Botanical details
Family
Plantaginaceae
Native to GB / Ireland
No
Foliage
Semi evergreen
Habit
Bushy
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 fertile, moist but well-drained soil preferably in full sun. In cold areas, protect plant overwinter with a dry winter mulch. See Penstemon cultivation

Propagation

Propagate by softwood or semi-ripe cuttings in summer

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
  • Wall side borders
Pruning

Deadhead after flowering to maintain vigour

Pests

May be susceptible to slugs, snails and chrysanthemum eelworms but generally pest free

Diseases

May be susceptible to a downy mildew

Get involved

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