Originally a native flower of North America, the penstemon has become a real favourite among gardeners in Europe, with hundreds of hybrids having been developed there since the early nineteenth century. Perhaps their popularity is down to their value as a late-flowering summer perennial that are easy and reliable to grow. They are resistant to slugs and other pests but very attractive to bees.
Border penstemons will grow any fertile, reasonably moist free-draining soil in either full sun or semi-shade. The planting of new plants should be done in mid to late spring and be accompanied by a handful of well rotted manure to feed the plant and aid its establishment. Once the plants start to flower they should be dead headed regularly to encourage more flowers to appear throughout the summer. Penstemons should be pruned annually or they will become woody and leggy. This should be done in spring when the new shoots appear at the base of the plant. Prune away the old flower spikes. In autumn the plants should be pruned back by about a third in order to limit wind rock during the winter months.
Although reliable garden perennials, penstemons are not fully hardy and a hard winter can easily result in serious losses. Therefore it is advisable to propagate fresh stock each year by taking cuttings. Taking softwood cuttings is the most reliable method by which to produce plants true to the parent. Softwood cuttings can be taken any time during the growing season and if taken early will usually grow quick enough to produce a display of flowers in late summer.
Varieties of penstemon
Penstemons come in a variety of colours, with flowers both large and small. Penstemon 'Abbottsmerry' has large dark red, deep carmine flowers with brown streaked throat and grows to a height of 90cm. 'Flamingo' has bright pink flowers with a large white throat and grows up to 95cm high. 'Minibird Lilac' is a small plant up to 15cm tall with delicate lilac flowers which have a white throat. Penstemon 'Newbury Gem' grows up to 60cm tall and has red flowers with heavy streaking on the throat. Pensgtemon 'Charles Rudd' has rich purple bell flowers with a white throat and grows up to 60cm. 'Devonshire Cream' has an upright bushy habit with rich creamy pink flowers with a white throat strongly marked pink. 'Snow Storm' is a tall variety of up to 75cm in height, with strong white flowers with a touch of pink when in bud.
Penstemons are happy grown in garden planters and it may even be a good solution when buying varieties that are not fully hardy, as growing them in containers makes it easy to over-winter them in a cold greenhouse or sheltered outdoor spot.
Jo Poultney is one of two people behind Garden Planters. I have an RHS general certificate in horticulture. Garden Planters source unusual outdoor and indoor planters, and other garden related gifts - whatever your taste, be it traditional, modern or just a bit quirky, we will have something for you. I believe garden planters are an integral part of any garden - they enhance the overall design and say a little something about the person to whom the garden belongs. If you would like to know more about Garden Planters, visit our website at http://www.gardenplantersshop.co.uk
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