Penstemon 'Schoenholzeri'

RHS Plant Profile
penstemon 'Schoenholzeri'

Synonyms

Penstemon 'Firebird'
Penstemon hartwegii 'Firebird'
Penstemon rupicola 'Ruby'
Penstemon 'Ruby' misapplied

Award of Garden MeritPlants for pollinators
Herbaceous Perennial

'Schoenholzeri' is a perennial to 80cm in height, with narrow foliage and panicles of tubular bell-shaped crimson flowers 3.5cm in width, striped red on white in the throat

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
West–facing or East–facing or South–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H4

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Plantaginaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
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 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
  • Gravel garden
  • Coastal
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Wall side borders

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 downy mildews