Gardening
Plant portrait
Plant portrait - Penstemon 'Bubble Gum'
All penstemons are at their best in late summer and autumn and, if you dead head them, they produce flowers continuously until late autumn, writes Val Bourne
They were huge Victorian favourites, bedded out in their hundreds, and their biggest advantage is their drought-tolerant constitution so penstemons thrive in dry summers.
Edward Wilson, breeder of 'Bubble Gum', has been breeding penstemons for many years at Pensham in Worcestershire. 'Bubble Gum', a white-throated pink-red, is part of the Ice Cream series named after sweets. They all have large flowers with distinct white throats, sometimes veined.
'Blueberry Fudge' is a lilac, 'Juicy Grape' is cerise-pink, 'Melting Candy' is a soft pink and 'Strawberries & Cream' is a pale pinky-white with deep red markings in the throat. Other named varieties include 'Raspberry Ripple', 'Sweet Cherry' and 'Vanilla Plum'.
Where will it grow?
Penstemons are happiest in well-drained soil in full sun. They reach about 60 cm in height (2 ft) - although heights vary according to variety.
What shall I grow with it?
Penstemons associate well with traditional borders that include roses, peonies, fuchsias, hardy geraniums and scabious. This is because they have bright-green foliage which tends to look out of place next to sun-loving, silver aromatic plants.
How do I grow it?
Penstemons are best planted in early summer so that they can establish a root system before winter comes. They are easy to grow and soon form bushy plants. There is one golden rule. You never cut penstemons down in autumn because they are slightly tender. Always leave the foliage intact until April, only cutting back the leaves to the lowest shoots when spring is well and truly here.
For this reason you need to take cuttings from midsummer onwards - as an insurance policy. Plunge new shoots (without flower buds) into horticultural sand. Leave to overwinter in a frost-free place like an unheated greenhouse. Pot up into gritty compost the following spring and plant out when rooted.
Where do I buy it?
Hayloft Plants Ltd
Manor Farm
Pensham
Pershore
Worcs WR10 3HB
Tel: 01386 554440
www.hayloftplants.co.uk
