How to grow penstemons

Penstemon are reliable summer-flowering perennials in all but the coldest regions. Also known as the beardtongue, this semi-evergreen was a big Victorian favourite.

All penstemons are at their best in late summer and autumn and, if you deadhead them, they produce flowers continuously until late autumn.

Val Bourne is an award-winning organic gardener, writer and lecturer. She's got the best advice on how to plant penstemons in your garden and get the best out of them.

When to plant penstemons

Plant penstemons in early summer so they have a chance to establish a root system before winter.

Where to plant penstemons

Penstemons come from a wide range of positions in North and Central America, from alpine to rocky plain. They all need good drainage and good light. They are drought tolerant and slug-proof.

For many years penstemons were grown as summer bedding plants. New cuttings were taken every year and eventually vigour suffered and many penstemon varieties disappeared from gardens. However, alpine specialists continued to grow the shorter, earlier species.

How tall do penstemons grow?

Penstemons reach about 60 cm in height (2 ft) - although heights vary according to variety.

When do penstemons flower?

Penstemons bloom from early summer and with deadheading can continue flowering well into autumn.

When to prune penstemons

Many penstemons are borderline hardy, but they generally survive British winters as long as some top growth is left largely intact. Once new growth reappears (in March or April) cut back hard to just above the new shoots. Pruning in spring prevents the penstemon becoming woody by encouraging a flush of summer growth.

When to cut back your penstemons

Leave penstemon leaves intact until April, only cutting back the leaves to the lowest shoots when spring is well and truly here. Don't cut your penstemons down in autumn because they are slightly tender.

When to take penstemon cuttings

Penstemons are short-lived and plants lose vigour after four years or so and they become ragged and woody. Young plants, on the other hand, flower better and throw off wintry weather so it’s well worth raising young plants yourself by taking cuttings during July and August. This is an easy process and it will keep a supply of plants going. You can take cuttings in September but the root systems are going to be poor and some may succumb over winter.

How to take cuttings

Look for semi-ripe wood produced this year. It should feel pliable, but not soft and new. Cut away three- to four-inch pieces and remove any flower buds. Trim underneath the leaf node - where the leaves appear - and then reduce any overly large leaves.

Fill half-size seed trays with damp horticultural sand and plunge the cuttings into the sand so that most of the cutting is submerged. Pot the cuttings up in gritty compost once they root. If you have cuttings still in trays at the end of August, leave them there until the following spring and plant out when rooted.

What to grow penstemons with…

Penstemons fit into the traditional herbaceous border well because they provide spires of flower in a range of colours. Many also have bright-green foliage which tends to look out of place next to sun-loving, aromatic plants.

The dark-flowered forms flatter silver foliage, but the pinks and electric-blues mix in well with traditional herbaceous like peonies, roses, fuchsias, hardy geraniums and scabious. Penstemons extend the planting all over the garden because they carry on until frost calls a halt.

Flower shape varies and the slender trumpet shaped flowers are easier to place than the wide-mouthed, large-flowered forms such as the pink and white 'Osprey'. 

Best penstemon varieties

Penstemon 'Catherine de la Mare' AGM

This June-flowering penstemon, with Penstemon heterophyllus blood, has masses of electric-blue flowers with a warm hint of pink, which shimmer in sunlight from early summer until late-autumn.

'Catherine de la Mare', named after Walter de la Mare’s daughter-in-law, reaches two feet in height. However, the more sprawling Penstemon heterophyllus makes a prostrate plant for the front of a border.

Many blue penstemons (including 'True Blue') are related to this floriferous, early species. Given good drainage all penstemons should survive most winters, but they must keep most of their foliage over winter. Take cuttings in summer as an insurance policy.

Penstemon 'Bubble Gum'

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'.

More long-flowering penstemons

• 'Papal Purple' - An eighteen-inch-high purple penstemon that has squat, wide-mouthed flowers. It flowers early and carries on for months. Introduced in 1981 by Paul Picton of Old Court Nurseries, but found in the garden of Valerie Finnis (an alpine specialist) at Boughton House in Northamptonshire.
• 'Alice Hindley' AGM - A tall, grey-blue penstemon that can reach over three feet. This 1931 variety is still one of the finest around (4 ft/1.2m).
• 'Hidcote Pink' AGM - A flower-packed, tall penstemon with clear-pink flowers beautifully striated in deep-pink (40 ins/1m).
• 'Sour Grapes' - A metallic blue and mauve penstemon with spires of large slender flowers. Often mixed up with the greyer 'Stapleford Gem' (2 ft/60 cm).
• 'Andenken an Friedrich Hahn' - Also known as 'Garnet', this sophisticated dark-claret penstemon bears lots of flowers over a long period. The clear colour and good narrow green foliage are outstanding, but this Swiss-bred penstemon is hardy and persistent. Introduced by Alan Bloom pre-1939 (3 ft/90 cm).

Saga Home Insurance provides cover that goes beyond what you might expect. For more information and to get a quote click here.