Can Penstemon be grown in containers?
Many of the tender new hybrids and species like Penstemon heterophyllus are all good choices for containers. Repeat flowering is important for container-grown penstemon.
Can you plant penstemon in clay soil?
Wet clay soils and Penstemon aren't compatible. Avoid overly enriched soils; too much compost can shorten their life span. Plant high, leaving the top of the rootball just above the surrounding soil to avoid burying the crown of the plant.
How do you propagate a Penstemon?
Transplant into nursery pots after sprouting when sprouts have formed a few leaves. Transplant in the ground in the following spring. To propagate your Penstemon easily, summer cuttings are definitely the best solution. You can even use stems pruned off in spring to prepare cuttings.
Do penstemons need full sun?
Most border penstemons will continue to flower up until the first frosts. Grow penstemons in moist but well-drained soil in full sun to partial shade. Mulch annually with well-rotted manure or leaf mould, and feed weekly in summer. Penstemons are short-lived perennials that can suffer in winter.
See more
Does Penstemon do well in containers?
Although penstemon can be grown in a range of upright containers, they can get rather tall and are better managed in 5-inch or larger pots.
Where do penstemons grow best?
Where to grow penstemons. Border penstemons are perfect for growing in the middle of a mixed border. They do best in a fertile, reasonably moist soil that is free-draining. Full sun or light shade is ideal.
Does Penstemon like sun or shade?
Full sunLight preference: Full sun to part shade. Varieties with purple or reddish leaves will exhibit the best foliage color when grown in direct sunlight.
Is Penstemon easy to grow?
The nickname of beardtongue refers to the pollen-free stamen that protrudes from the flower, resembling a bearded iris in this aspect. This perennial is easy to grow from seeds planted in spring to early summer. It's somewhat slow to start and needs 10 to 21 days to germinate.
What plants go well with penstemon?
COMPANION & UNDERSTUDY PLANTS: Try pairing Penstemon digitalis 'Husker Red' with Baptisia australis, Ceanothus americanus, Liatris aspera, Monarda fistulosa, Rudbeckia fulgida 'Goldsturm' or Sorghastrum nutans.
How tall does penstemon get?
Penstemongenus namePenstemonheight6 to 12 inches 1 to 3 feet 3 to 8 feetwidth8 to 20 inchesflower colorBlue Purple Red Orange White Pink Yellowfoliage colorBlue/Green Gray/Silver7 more rows
Does penstemon multiply?
The growth habits of penstemons include low-growing ground covers with short flower spikes or small basal rosettes that produce tall, multiplying, floral spikes.
Do penstemon have deep roots?
Plant your penstemons in full sun. They are best planted in the spring, rather than the fall. When you plant them in the spring, the plants have the entire growing season to grow out their roots. These are drought tolerant plants, so they have a deep root system.
How deep do penstemon roots go?
three to four inchesThe plant's roots do not go deeply. Water to a depth of three to four inches. Allow the soil to dry between watering. Add general purpose fertilizer when planting, and every four to six weeks during the season.
Do slugs like penstemon?
They're slug and snail resistant That needn't be a concern if you choose a Penstemon as they have pretty good slug and snail resistance as well as resistance to other garden pests like deer and rabbits.
Are penstemons Hardy?
Penstemons are a popular perennial that will bring unique beauty to your garden and are extremely hardy, being able to cope in all but the harshest of conditions.
Are penstemons invasive?
beardtongue: Penstemon (Plantaginales: Plantaginaceae): Invasive Plant Atlas of the United States.
How long has a penstemon been in the pot?
The penstemon has been in the pot for 3 or 4 years now and seems happy. I give it a feed occasionally when I remember, but probably a feed with a tomato fertilizer every couple of weeks would be good. As KOG mentions above cuttings from penstemon at this time of year are really easy and root in no time.
Can you take cuttings from a penstemon?
You can easily take cuttings from them, so why not take some as a backup. Penstemons naturally layer, i.e., where their shoots touch the soil, they root to form a new plant (which can then be cut off from the parent plant).
How to grow a penstemon?
Since many Penstemons are adapted to harsh Western habitats, it is important to keep a few cultural considerations in mind when bringing them into our gardens. The keys to successfully growing Penstemon include: 1 Planting them into "lean" (infertile) fast-draining soils. Sandy or gravelly soils are ideal. Wet clay soils and Penstemon aren't compatible. 2 Avoid overly enriched soils; too much compost can shorten their life span. 3 Plant high, leaving the top of the rootball just above the surrounding soil to avoid burying the crown of the plant. 4 Use them in new plantings where they can enjoy establishing themselves without a lot of root competition from mature neighboring plants. 5 Plant in full sun. 6 Deep, but infrequent watering (once established). 7 Leave some seeds to ripen on the plants when deadheading. Seedlings from the original plants are always more vigorous and longer-lived than their parents. 8 Mulch with gravel. This encourages re-seeding and protects the crowns from sitting wet over the winter. Avoid bark, grass clippings, or compost as mulch materials, which can introduce fungal problems and rot the plants.
What type of soil should I use for a penstemon plant?
Sandy or gravelly soils are ideal. Wet clay soils and Penstemon aren't compatible. Avoid overly enriched soils; too much compost can shorten their life span. Plant high, leaving the top of the rootball just above the surrounding soil to avoid burying the crown of the plant.
What is the best flower to grow with a penstemon?
For beginners, we recommend growing a few of the easier species like Rocky Mountain Beardtongue (P. strictus), Pineleaf Beardtongue (P. pinifolius) and the beautiful Penstemon 'Elfin Pink'. Last but not least, Penstemon's nectar-rich flowers are indispensable to pollinators like bumblebees and hummingbirds.
How many species of penstemon are there?
With over 300 species to choose from, there is a Penstemon (Beardtongue) for every type of planting. From rock garden to large-scale xeriscapes, there are a lot of great choices. Growing Penstemon is straightforward, as they are extremely resilient when well-matched to their planting site, and are excellent naturalizing plants when encouraged ...
When does the penstemon heterophyllus electric blue bloom?
Penstemon heterophyllus Electric Blue is a selected form of the Foothills Beardtongue, a small growing evergreen shrub from California, that blooms in late spring with a memorable d...
Is Penstemon a perennial?
These are very nutrient-efficient plants and excessive fertilization (especially with Miracle-Gro or other chemical fertilizers) pushes excessive growth and makes them much less perennial. When growing Penstemon, to keep them healthy and blooming strongly, a once-annual application of a natural/organic fertilizer in the fall with Yum Yum Mix is ideal. No compost or manure; it's too rich.
Do hummingbirds like pineleaf penstemons?
With hundreds of tubular flowers, the hummingbirds love this species. Penstemon pinifolius (Pinelfeaf) Penstemon pinifolius ' Mersea Yellow' - A returning favorite.
How to grow penstemons in the spring?
In spring apply a general purpose fertiliser to your mixed borders. Water freshly planted penstemons for the first summer to help them establish on a dry soil. In autumn cut back the faded foliage by just a third to prevent windrock and then cut the remaining foliage back hard in spring after the last frost.
How to propagate a penstemon?
How to propagate penstemons. Taking penstemon cuttings. Take penstemon cuttings from late summer to early autumn. Select soft growth without a flower. Cut each cutting back to below a leaf joint and remove the lower leaves. More than one cutting can be put into a pot of cutting compost as long as the leaves don’t touch.
How tall is a penstemon?
Penstemon ‘Andenken an Friedrich Hahn’ (formerly known as ‘Garnet’ ) – wonderful crimson flowers from June to September with narrow dark green leaves. Height 75cm. Penstemon ‘Raven’ – dark maroon flowers from June to October. Reaches a height of 100cm.
Where do penstemons live?
There are many different types of penstemon, with some suited to the alpine garden while the majority are at home in the heart of a herbaceous border. Border penstemons have tubular late summer flowers in a wide range of colours. The flowers look very similar to those of a foxglove.
What is a penstemon table?
A table displaying which months are best to sow, plant and harvest. Penstemons are valuable garden plants, grown for their long-flowering season and popularity with bees. There are many different types of penstemon, with some suited to the alpine garden while the majority are at home in the heart of a herbaceous border.
What are the threats to Penstemons?
Although there are no serious threats, watch for root rot in poorly draining soils. Leaf spot, rust, powdery mildew, and Southern blight can also occur. Penstemons may be bothered by slugs, snails, and spider mites.
How many species are there in the penstemon family?
Part of the plantain family (Plantaginaceae), penstemons are a huge genus of plants encompassing approximately 270 species and over 800 cultivars and hybrids. The name is derived from the Greek words penta and stemon, referring to the flower’s five stamens, four of which are fertile and one sterile. The pollen-free stamen (or staminode) ...
How long does it take for a plant to bloom?
It generally takes a year or two before seed-grown plants begin to bloom. For seed sources, visit the American Penstemon Society, which offers an online seed exchange program for members as well as a list of seed companies.
What is a foothill penstemon?
Foothill penstemon ( P. heterophyllus ): A California native with glossy blue-green leaves and blue flowers on slender spikes. Resistant to both drought and heat and will thrive on dry rocky slopes and hillsides. Cultivars include 'Blue Springs' and ‘Electric Blue’.
Where do pink roses grow?
One of the few that are fragrant, honey-scented light pink flowers are held high on spikes as tall as 6 feet. Native to southern California, Arizona and Utah, it thrives in arid climates and dry, sandy soils.
Can penstemons grow in gravel?
Penstemons do best in well-drained, slightly alkaline soil and will even grow in soils that are mostly sand or gravel. They are extremely sensitive to poorly draining soils and winter moisture. Planting them in raised beds or sloped areas will help them survive wet conditions. Ideally, the plants’ crowns should remain dry while the roots have access to a small but steady supply of moisture during the growing season. Avoid soil amendments that hold moisture, such as peat moss and manure.
Can penstemons be slugs?
Penstemons may be bothered by slugs, snails, and spider mites. For more growing tips, including advice on purchasing nursery-grown plants and suggested varieties for beginners, read Growing Penstemons: Species, Cultivars and Hybrids, published by the American Penstemon Society.
How to grow a penstemon from cuttings?
How to Grow Penstemon From Cuttings. Penstemon can be grown from tip cuttings. Tip cuttings are cuttings that are taken from the ends of the stems and include the growing tip. The growing tip is the actively growing part of the stem. Take your cutting from late spring to fall from stems that are not blooming.
Where are penstemons native to?
Penstemons ( Penstemon spp .) are herbaceous flowering perennials. There are 250 species that are native to North America. As a group, most of the species are hardy in zones 3 through 9. Some are only hardy through zone 5. Penstemons are drought tolerant plants, generally found in desert or other dry areas. They are often used in xeriscapes.
How are penstemons related to hummingbirds?
Penstemon derive their nickname, beardtongue, from the fact that a hairy stamen sticks out of the “mouth” of the flower. Some species have tubular flowers that are beloved by hummingbirds.
What is a penstemon?
Penstemons are drought tolerant plants, generally found in desert or other dry areas. They are often used in xeriscapes. Another added bonus is that deer stay away from them. They range in size from 1 to 3 feet. There is a penstemon for every part of the garden. The flowers look a lot like foxgloves or snapdragons.
How to keep penstemon from freezing?
You can do this with penstemon by very carefully bending a stem to the ground. To keep it in contact with the soil, use metal staples like the ones that are used to hold the fabric covering the tunnels that protect plants from cold in your garden in the spring.
What is the name of the first plant to move into an area that has been disturbed, burned, or eroded
Penstemon is what is known as a pioneer plant. That means that it is one of the first plants to move into an area that has been disturbed, burned, or eroded. Since plants themselves can’t move, it is their seeds that are distributed over these types of areas by animals and birds passing through.
When to plant seeds in a container?
Starting in March, surface sow your seeds in pre-moistened soil in a container and cover the container with a plastic bag. The plastic bag is to prevent the soil from drying out. Place the covered container in your refrigerator. This mimics the cold weather of winter.
How to grow penstemons from seed?
Seeds may germinate better after a period of aging, mimicking their conditions in the wild, so you can store seed for several years before planting. If you sow the seeds in the garden, do so in autumn, to allow a natural strat ification period. Alternatively, you can stratify the seeds in the refrigerator for three months if you plan to start them indoors. If you purchase penstemon seeds, be sure to check the growing zone, as tender varieties like the ‘Tubular Bells’ series are often sold alongside the hardy perennial types.
What are penstemons good for?
Penstemon flowers are a valuable source of nectar for bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds in a wildflower garden.
When do beardtongue plants bloom?
Beardtongue plants typically bloom in early summer, filling that gap between the end of spring bulbs and the maturing of summer flowers like coneflowers, yarrow, and coreopsis. Most penstemons are 1 to 3 feet tall, but Palmer’s penstemon can grow up to 6 feet, giving you options for the middle and back of the border.
What is the color of penstemon?
Varieties of Penstemon. 'Dark Towers' is similar to Husker Red, but with pale pink flowers and darker foliage. 'Elfin Pink' is a good rock garden plant, topping out just shy of 12 inches.
How long does it take for a bearded tongue to germinate?
This perennial is easy to grow from seeds planted in spring to early summer. It's somewhat slow to start and needs 10 to 21 days to germinate. Botanical Name. Penstemon.
Is the flowering penstemon a perennial?
Have you ever heard of the flowering penstemon? If not, don’t tell members of the American Penste mon Society . Yes, there is an organization dedicated to cultivating, propagating, and identifying species of this hardy native perennial, commonly known as beard tongue.
Do penstemons eat snails?
Penstemons don't suffer from too many insect problems, but slugs and snails may snack on leaves, especially in damp or shady areas. Sprinkle diatomaceous earth around plants to deter gnawing gastropods, and set out beer traps to catch any stragglers.
Why Grow Penstemon?
There are many Penstemons that are native to Colorado (Nebraska). There are about 280 species of penstemon native to North America, 60+ native to CO and 24 natives to the Great Plains, including Nebraska which has about native 10 native species. However, there are other nonnative species and selections that grow in Colorado and Nebraska.
Selection
Penstemons are a low maintenance plant. However, some of the plants listed in the table can only be started from seed. Whether from seed or from a young plant, this does not mean they can grow successfully anywhere at any exposure.
Planting
Penstemon requires good aeration and drainage. Good drainage and aeration are required for the crown of penstemon plants. Avoid planting in locations with standing water.
Fertilizations
Generally, fertilization is not required. Older and longer blooming plants may benefit from fertilization. However, do not use fertilizers high in nitrogen. Fertilize after the first flush of blooms.
Continued Maintenance
To ensure the health of our penstemon, it is important to think about their care long after they are established. The large-flowered hybrids and bedding types need only dead-heading.
