Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.5–1 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
Spring | Green | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Summer | Blue White | Green | ||
Autumn | Blue White | Green | ||
Winter | Green |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H4Botanical 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, well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade. In cold areas, protect plant overwinter with dry winter mulch - see Penstemon cultivation for more details.
Propagation
Propagate by softwood cuttings in early summer and semi-ripe cuttings in midsummer.
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Cottage and informal garden
- City and courtyard gardens
- Coastal
- Wildlife gardens
- Flower borders and beds
- Cut flowers
Pruning
Deadhead after flowering to maintain vigour. Then cut back to base in spring - see Penstemon cultivation
Pests
May be susceptible to slugs, snails, glasshouse red spider mite, and leaf and bud eelworms
Diseases
Generally disease-free. May be susceptible to powdery mildews
Get involved
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