COMMON NAME:
► Penstemon
SCIENTIFIC NAME:
► Penstemon
GROWER HINTS:
►Tolerates and even thrives in poor soils and alkaline conditions but requires relatively good drainage.
GROWTH HABITS:
►Penstemon come in many different colors and growth forms. All have the bell shaped flowers.Tolerates and even thrives in poor soils and alkaline conditions but requires relatively good drainage. Pinch plants after the first bloom to promote a quick re-bloom and cut back hard in winter to encourage a new flush of dense growth in spring.
►While extremely showy, Border Penstemons are notably short lived. When planted they are hardy to below 15 degrees. Plants generally grow as wide as they are tall. Cutting back the seed heads after flowers will encourage more growth.
SHADE/SUN:
►Plant in full sun along the coast and provide some light shade inland.
FEEDING AND WATERING:
►Can survive very dry condition in cooler coastal gardens but looks better with occasional irrigation and requires it in hotter locations.
FLOWER/FOLIAGE COLOR(S):
►The tubular 1-2 inch long flowers, popular with hummingbirds are carried on leafy semirigid stalks that rise from clumps of narrow 3-inch long leaves. Flower colors of penstemon species are red, orange, and blue, but newer cultivars have increased the range to include white, soft pink, salmon, peach, deep rose, lilac and deep purple. Cutting back the seed heads after flowers will encourage more growth.
SEASON(S) CARRIED AT WEIDNERS:
►Spring/Summer, check for availability.
CONTAINER OR GROUND?
►Ground or in a container with plants that need similar soil and care.
PARTICULAR PESTS:
