Penstemon barbatus 'Coccineus'
penstemon 'Coccineus'
A tall, upright perennial to 1.8m with semi-evergreen basal rosettes and deciduous stems with leaves up to 20cm long. From early summer to early autumn bears loose spires of hanging, tubular red flowers 4cm long
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Size
Ultimate height
1.5–2.5 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.5–1 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
Alkaline, Acid, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Red | Green | ||
| Autumn | Red | Green | ||
| Winter | Green |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or East–facing or West–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, well-drained soil in a sheltered position in full sun or partial shade. In cold areas, protect plant overwinter with a dry mulch. See penstemon cultivation
Propagation
Propagate by softwood cuttings in early summer, semi-hardwood cuttings in midsummer, or division in spring
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Cottage and informal garden
- Wildlife gardens
- Low Maintenance
- Flower borders and beds
Pruning
Deadhead after flowering to maintain vigour, then cut back to base in winter
Pests
May be susceptible to slugs, snails and chrysanthemum eelworms
Diseases
May be susceptible to a downy mildew
Get involved
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