Including a Penstemon in your cottage garden is a must-do, as this flower, also referred to as “beardtongue,” is a classic.

This comprehensive guide provides valuable information on the growth and care of penstemons. It covers essential details about the flower, such as its basic characteristics, ideal growing conditions, and how to plant and maintain it. You can easily navigate through the various sections using the table of contents below or read through the entire guide for a fuller understanding.

Contents:
– Introduction to Penstemons
– Penstemon Basics
– Habitat
– Benefits of Growing Penstemons
– Landscaping Ideas
– Recommended Varieties
– Blooming Seasons
– Longevity of Bloom
– Planting Seasons
– Optimum Growing Conditions
– Planting Tips
– Care and Maintenance Guidelines
– Transplanting Guidelines
– Companion Planting
– Frequently Asked Questions

– Where to Purchase Penstemons

Penstemons are an attractive flowering plant that receives extensive coverage in this guide. The content is designed to provide you with all the necessary information about penstemons, from its basic attributes to its ideal growing conditions and maintenance requirements.

In any cottage garden, Penstemon is an essential plant to have. This genus comprises approximately 250 diverse species and is the most extensive North American flowering plant genus. Formerly, it was a part of the Scrophulariaceae family, but now belongs to the Plantaginaceae family. The plural form of “Penstemon” can either be “Penstemon” or “Penstemons.” These plants are categorized as semi-evergreen perennials or deciduous perennials, shrubs, or subshrubs. As perennials, they return every year, presenting their unique blooms each season. These plants have tube-like flowers with double lips and opposite leaves. Each flower’s center features a non-pollen-producing staminode, which in some cases has a hairy appearance, resembling a bearded tongue sticking out of the flower’s mouth. Because of this, they’re also known as “beardtongues.” Penstemon thrives in well-drained soil and full to partial sun, blooming from spring through summer. It can grow up to a height of 1-3 feet and is typically found growing in any cottage garden.

Penstemon plants are widely cultivated across the globe, even though they are mostly native to North America. This is because they are highly adaptable to different climate zones. In fact, since the 19th century, they have become increasingly popular in Europe where many hybrids have been developed. As a result, penstemons are now commonly associated with both North America and Europe.

If you’re looking to add some penstemons to your garden, here are a few recommended varieties:
1. ‘Husker Red’: This cultivar is known for its maroon-red foliage and pink flowers.
2. ‘Sour Grapes’: This cultivar has purple flowers and green foliage.
3. ‘Midnight’: This cultivar features dark purple flowers and dark green foliage.
4. ‘Blue Spring’: This cultivar has blue flowers and green foliage.
5. ‘Firecracker’: This cultivar has red flowers and green foliage.
6. ‘Garnet’: This cultivar has deep red flowers and green foliage.

Keep in mind that there are many more varieties of penstemons to choose from, so do some research to find the perfect fit for your garden. Happy planting!

There are plenty of options for penstemon varieties to choose from if you’re looking for attractive flowers to add to your yard. Let’s explore some of these different types of penstemon plants. Dark Towers is a cultivar with wine-red foliage that contrasts perfectly with its light pink flowers. The flower spikes on this plant can even thrive in moister environments. Electric Blue features deep blue blossoms that attract hummingbirds and bees and can grow up to 18″ tall during the summer. Yellow Pineleaf is perfect if you’re looking for yellow flowers that bloom in spring and summer. SteppeSuns Sunset Glow has tubular flowers that bring warm orangey hues of sunset to your garden and blooms for a long time. Rocky Mountain Penstemon is drought-tolerant and produces grape-colored flowers on tall spikes that can reach up to 30″. Davidson’s Penstemon has rose-purple flowers and is low-maintenance, making it an ideal choice for beginners. Blanca Peak Rocky Mountain produces stunning white flowers and are easy for novice gardeners to grow. Midnight Masquerade has dark foliage that complements the purple flowers and almost seems to glow above them. Phoenix Red will grab your attention with each bright red tubular flower with white throats. Blue Lips features lavender throats and pale bluish-purplish rims and is great for pollinators. Elfin Pink attracts birds, bees, and butterflies with its vivid bright pink blossoms. Palmer’s Beardtongue is a great option for tall spikes with pale pink flowers and darker throats that can grow up to five feet tall. Grand Mesa has exquisite deep blue flowers and can thrive in hot and dry climates. Luminous Pineleaf Penstemon has bright orange flowers that seem to glow. Arabesque Pink has pale pink flowers that are darker around the edges. Pink Riding Hood has bright pink flowers that hummingbirds love. Penstemons usually bloom from late spring into early summer but can continue blooming through the summer and fall if deadheaded.

If you want to keep your penstemons blooming for a longer period, it’s essential to deadhead them regularly. By doing so, you can enjoy their beautiful blooms from spring until autumn. On the other hand, if you neglect deadheading, your penstemons will only bloom for 2-8 weeks. However, some varieties may still offer reasonably long blooming periods, depending on what you plant. If you’re planning to grow penstemons, be sure to choose the right time to plant them.

For successful growth of penstemons, it is advisable to sow them from seeds during autumn. However, early winter could also be a good time to start. If planting nursery plants, it is best to do so in spring for them to establish themselves and survive the winter. To provide ideal growing conditions for penstemons, you should plant them in suitable soil, sunlight, and water. Penstemons grow best in a sunny location, but partial shade is acceptable if it falls over the plants during hot afternoon hours. As for the soil type, penstemons require well-drained soil with organic matter.

Penstemons cannot survive in excessively moist conditions, so it’s essential to plant them in soil that drains well. Avoid planting them in waterlogged or heavy clay soils, which tend to retain water. Colorado State University Extension notes that beardtongues don’t require soil amendments, making them a low-maintenance option. When it comes to watering, be mindful not to overwater penstemons.

Penstemons are a type of plant that requires very little water, making them highly drought-resistant. During the summer months, it’s recommended to water them once a week with around 1 inch of water. However, during the rest of the year, watering may not be necessary at all. The amount of water needed ultimately depends on the soil type, depth, humidity, precipitation, and the species of penstemon being grown. Local species with well-draining soil typically do not require extra water once established, but those grown in pots may need more frequent watering, especially hybrids with larger flowers.

When planting penstemons, it’s important to consider their preferred conditions for sunlight and soil. If using starter plants, follow instructions for container or garden planting. If starting from seed, be sure to read up on specific instructions for these drought-tolerant plants.

One method to grow beardtongues is through container planting. To start, select a pot that is at least 5 inches in size and ensure it has drainage holes. Fill the pot with soil mix and plant the penstemon by making a hole and backfilling the soil. After planting, water the penstemon thoroughly. Find a suitable location where your containers will get enough sunlight each day. While penstemons typically do well in dry conditions, keep in mind that the soil in containers dries out much faster than garden beds. Therefore, even after they’ve established, potted penstemons may require more watering compared to plants in garden beds. Ground planting is another option.

Penstemons are a type of plant that can thrive when planted directly in the ground. If you want to grow penstemons, it’s important to choose a spot that receives at least six hours of sunlight per day and has well-draining soil. However, penstemons dislike many common soil amendments such as compost, manure, and peat moss, so be careful when preparing your soil. If your soil is heavy and clay-like, it’s best to plant your penstemons in raised garden beds or containers to avoid making the soil too rich. If you still want to improve drainage, adding gravel may help. When planting multiple penstemons, make sure to space them at least one foot apart to give them enough room to grow. After planting, water your penstemons deeply and consistently until they establish.

Additionally, penstemons can also be grown from seeds or cuttings. However, growing from seeds can be a complicated process that varies depending on the type of seed, so it’s best to consult resources like the American Penstemon Society’s Book on penstemon for specific instructions. Growing from cuttings can be a simpler alternative.

Penstemons can also be propagated through cuttings. To do this, take soft growth cuttings in late summer or early fall, preferably in the morning and without including flowers. Cut under a leaf joint and remove leaves from the lower parts. Using a well-draining pot filled with compost, insert the cuttings near the sides for warmth. Water the cuttings and cover them with a plastic bag to retain moisture. Meanwhile, regularly water the cuttings until they establish their root structures before transplanting them to permanent containers or garden beds.

To maintain penstemons, fertilizing is important.

Autumn is an opportune time to fertilize beardtongues for optimal growth. While compost may not be ideal for penstemons, you can still provide them with nutrients during this season. It’s worth noting that the rest of the year doesn’t require much concern in this regard.

If you’re wondering how to mulch penstemons, it’s best to use gravel as it helps protect the crowns from excess moisture and encourages re-seeding. However, avoid using materials like bark, grass clippings, or compost as they can cause fungal issues and potentially damage the plants.

Finally, staking penstemons is a helpful way to keep them upright and prevent them from bending or breaking under their own weight. This technique involves placing stakes around the plant and tying them together with garden twine or another type of tie.

The condition of the soil plays a crucial role in determining whether or not your beardtongues need staking. If you notice your penstemons drooping, it might be due to rich soil. One way to resolve this issue is to change your care routine by avoiding over-fertilization or transplanting the penstemons to more suitable soil conditions. On the other hand, if this is not the case, it could be that your penstemons have grown too tall and require additional support, especially in areas prone to heavy winds. In such cases, narrow stakes can be used to secure the plants. Additionally, certain types of penstemons seem to be more susceptible to flopping than others. It is essential to note that results may vary. If you want to learn how to prune penstemons, read on.

It is crucial to cut back beardtongues to promote healthy growth. One way to do this is by pruning them multiple times. If you want your beardtongues to bloom again, you can deadhead them by cutting back the stalks instead of removing individual flowers. Deadheading can also prevent self-seeding, but if you want them to spread, let them go to seed. It is best to wait until late autumn or winter to trim penstemons back since they can blossom until fall. You can even wait until late winter to provide seeds for birds during a season when food is scarce. Dividing penstemons every 3-5 years is also necessary. To do this, use a spade to dig around the rootball and carefully separate the roots into divisions. When planting newly-divided penstemons, water them deeply to establish growth. There is no need to worry about diseases or pests with penstemons.

To ensure the health of your penstemons, it is important to control moisture and provide enough breathing room. Some common diseases that may affect these plants include leaf spots, powdery mildew, rust, and stem rot. However, you can prevent issues with rot by avoiding standing water and allowing adequate airflow. Although nematodes are known to attack penstemons, they are generally pest-resistant and even slugs and snails tend to avoid them. While some pests like penstemon borers, ebony bugs, and penstemon clearwings may damage these plants, they are not widespread concerns in most locations.

For optimal growth, consider planting penstemons with other compatible plants.

Penstemons are a popular choice for cottage gardens, and they can be paired beautifully with other plants. Consider adding wild indigo flowers, also known as Baptisia, next to your penstemons for a lovely combination. Coneflowers, or Echinacea, are another great option as they offer a unique shape and adaptable growing conditions. Sun-loving Salvia can produce beautiful stalks of blooms that complement your penstemons, while Artemisia adds green foliage and prefers dry soil just like beardtongues. If you want more ideas, do some research on your own!

Have some questions about growing penstemons? You might be wondering what eats them – most likely, it’s an insect since rabbits and deer tend to avoid them. And are they annual or perennial? Most beardtongues are perennials, but some varieties work better as annuals depending on your climate.

Ready to add penstemons to your garden? You can easily find a variety of cultivars online. Click the link below to order now and enjoy the beauty of these stunning plants in your own outdoor space.