Not the plant you're looking for? Search over 300,000 plants
Alpine Rockery

Penstemon newberryi subsp. sonomensis
  • RHS Plants for pollinators

A slow-growing, mound-and mat-forming, evergreen perennial to 25cm, with oval, leathery, grey-green leaves. Short, upright sprays of tubular, bright pinky-red flowers 3cm long are produced in early summer. Ideal for rock garden or alpine house

Synonyms
Penstemon sonomensis
Buy this plant
Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
5–10 years
Ultimate spread
0.1–0.5 metres
Growing conditions
Loam
Chalk
Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green Grey Silver
Summer Red Green Grey Silver
Autumn Grey Silver Green
Winter Green Grey Silver
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H5
Botanical details
Family
Plantaginaceae
Native to GB / Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Clump forming, 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

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in poor to moderately fertile, very well-drained soil in full sun, with protection from winter wet. See penstemon cultivation

Propagation

Propagate by softwood cuttings in early summer or semi-ripe cuttings in midsummer

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Patio and container plants
  • Gravel garden
  • Rock garden
  • Coastal
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Flower borders and beds
Pruning

Deadhead after flowering

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free

Get involved

The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.