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PENSTEMON
Commonly known as Beard tongue
All Flower - JUL-AUG
Genus of approximately 250 species of deciduous, semi-evergreen or evergreen perennials and subshrubs from a variety of habitats from open plains to subalpine and alpine areas in North and Central America.
Further Reading....
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Semi-evergreenKeeps some of its foliage all year, and will drop some leaves as well.Elliptic to narrowly ovate leaves 12cm (4¾in) long
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RedBright cerise with white throat
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White
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Height80cm (32in)
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Spread45cm (18in)
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HerbaceousEarly in the year, typically January till end of March, herbaceous plants might be supplied in 9cm pots to ensure timely despatch.
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Half hardy - unheated greenhouse / mild winterHardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK except in severe winters and a risk from sudden (early) frosts. May be hardy elsewhere with wall shelter or good micro-climate. Likely to be damaged or killed in cold winters. Plant can withstand temperatures down to -5°C (23°F)
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Full sun
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Partial shade
- Details
- Mature Size
- Tips and Advice
- Goes Well With
- Planting Combinations
- Other Suggestions
- See Also...
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Additional FeaturesGood to knowWildlife plant - bees. Deadhead to prolong flowering. Leave foliage through winter for protection.Pests & DiseasesChrysanthemum eelworm, powdery mildew.Place of originGarden origin.Resistant to honey fungusThese plants have little or few problems with honey fungus.
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Flower ShapeBell/LanternPaniclesTubular5-7cm (2-3in) long
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HardinessFrost hardy (down to -5)
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Seasonal InterestAutumnSummer
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Soil ConditionsFertile well drained soilGive winter mulch
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WildlifeBee friendly
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Herbaceous Plants - Video Collection
- Dividing Herbaceous Perennials - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Spring Planting Osteospermums - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Dividing Summer Perennials - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Dividing summer flowering Hemerocallis - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Summer propagation - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Self-seeding aquilegia - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Supporting Plants - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Dead heading meconopsis - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Dead heading Delphiniums - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Feeding herbaceous peonies - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Overpotting Problems - Video Tip ondemand_video
Penstemon - Growing Guide
80cm (32in)
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45cm (18in) |
![CAMPANULA lactiflora 'Loddon Anna CAMPANULA lactiflora 'Loddon Anna](https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/img/products/square/campanula_lactiflora_loddon_anna_882.jpg)
CAMPANULA lactiflora 'Loddon Anna
Milky bellflower
Available from £13.50
![GERANIUM 'Brookside' GERANIUM 'Brookside'](https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/img/products/square/geranium_brookside_4958.jpg)
GERANIUM 'Brookside'
Cranesbill
Available from £13.50
![PENSTEMON PENSTEMON](https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/img/products/square/penstemon_blackbird_5523~1.jpg)
PENSTEMON
Beard tongue
![PENSTEMON 'Blackbird' PENSTEMON 'Blackbird'](https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/img/products/square/penstemon_blackbird~4.jpg)
PENSTEMON 'Blackbird'
Available from £12.50
![PENSTEMON 'White Bedder' PENSTEMON 'White Bedder'](https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/img/products/square/penstemon_snowstorm_3156a.jpg)
PENSTEMON 'White Bedder'
Beard tongue
Available from £12.50
![VERBENA officinalis var grandiflora 'Bampton' VERBENA officinalis var grandiflora 'Bampton'](https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/img/products/square/verbena_bampton_6510.jpg)
VERBENA officinalis var grandiflora 'Bampton'
Available from £13.50
Buy Varieties of PENSTEMON
![© Burncoose Nurseries, all pictures for illustrative purposes only. PENSTEMON 'Blackbird'](https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/img/products/squaremedium/penstemon_blackbird~4.jpg)
PENSTEMON 'Blackbird'
Beard tongue
dark purple
![Royal Horticultural Society 'Award of Garden Merit' (AGM) AWARD](https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/img/misc/agm_large.png)
![© Burncoose Nurseries, all pictures for illustrative purposes only. PENSTEMON 'Firebird'](https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/img/products/squaremedium/penstemon_firebird_3150a.jpg)
PENSTEMON 'Firebird'
Beard tongue
bright red with dark stripes and throat
![Royal Horticultural Society 'Award of Garden Merit' (AGM) AWARD](https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/img/misc/agm_large.png)
![© Burncoose Nurseries, all pictures for illustrative purposes only. PENSTEMON 'Garnet'](https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/img/products/squaremedium/penstemon_garnet_3151s.jpg)
PENSTEMON 'Garnet'
Beard tongue
deep crimson-wine
![© Burncoose Nurseries, all pictures for illustrative purposes only. PENSTEMON 'Heavenly Blue'](https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/img/products/squaremedium/penstemon_heavenly_blue.jpg)
PENSTEMON 'Heavenly Blue'
Beard tongue, Foothill penstemon
(syn. P. heterophyllus 'Heavenly Blue') - low-growing with plentiful lilac-blue flowers
![Royal Horticultural Society 'Award of Garden Merit' (AGM) AWARD](https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/img/misc/agm_large.png)
![© Burncoose Nurseries, all pictures for illustrative purposes only. PENSTEMON 'Hewell's Pink Bedder'](https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/img/products/squaremedium/penstemon_hewells_pink_3152.jpg)
PENSTEMON 'Hewell's Pink Bedder'
Beard tongue
bright pink with cream throat
![Royal Horticultural Society 'Award of Garden Merit' (AGM) AWARD](https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/img/misc/agm_large.png)
![© Burncoose Nurseries, all pictures for illustrative purposes only. PENSTEMON 'Hidcote Pink'](https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/img/products/squaremedium/penstemon_hidcote_pink_5343.jpg)
PENSTEMON 'Hidcote Pink'
Beard tongue
bright pink with cream throat
![© Burncoose Nurseries, all pictures for illustrative purposes only. PENSTEMON 'Mother of Pearl'](https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/img/products/squaremedium/penstemon_mother_of_pearl_3154y.jpg)
PENSTEMON 'Mother of Pearl'
Beard tongue
off-white and purple with dark throat markings
![Royal Horticultural Society 'Award of Garden Merit' (AGM) AWARD](https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/img/misc/agm_large.png)
![© Burncoose Nurseries, all pictures for illustrative purposes only. PENSTEMON 'Sour Grapes'](https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/img/products/squaremedium/penstemon_mother_of_pearl_3154x.jpg)
PENSTEMON 'Sour Grapes'
Beard tongue
greyish-blue flowers suffused with rich purple and tinged green
![© Burncoose Nurseries, all pictures for illustrative purposes only. PENSTEMON 'White Bedder'](https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/img/products/squaremedium/penstemon_snowstorm_3156a.jpg)
PENSTEMON 'White Bedder'
Beard tongue
(syn. Snow Storm) - clear white with pink tinge
Useful extras...
![](https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/img/products/squaremedium/Vitax_Q4_6202.jpg)
Fertilisers & Feeds - Vitax
Q4 Pelleted Fertiliser
A useful fertiliser suitable for use on a wide variety of plants. Q4 provides all the nutrients and trace elements essential for vigorous growth, abundant flowering and ripening of fruit.
3 options from £6.00
![](https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/img/products/squaremedium/grow_your_own_front_22.jpg)
Fertilisers & Feeds - Empathy
Afterplant - Grow Your Own
AFTER PLANT GROW YOUR OWN seaweed is ready to use liquid concentrate that was specially formulated be used on all edible plants.
Only £8.00
![](https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/img/products/squaremedium/tomatoe_front.jpg)
Fertilisers & Feeds - Empathy
Afterplant - Tomatoes
AFTER PLANT TOMATO FEED Liquid Concentrate with Bio stimulant is a high potash liquid concentrate containing seaweed extract, plant derived amino acids and other nutrients specifically formulated to benefit tomatoes and greenhouse plants.
Only £8.00
![](https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/img/products/squaremedium/rootgrow_6203.jpg)
Fertilisers & Feeds - Empathy
Rootgrow mycorrhizal fungi
Recommended by the RHS. Contains Rootgrow™ mycorrhizal fungi. Suitable for all trees and shrubs (except rhododendrons, azaleas, heathers, cranberries and blueberries)
3 options from £3.00
![](https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/img/products/squaremedium/RootgrowEricoid_6204.jpg)
Fertilisers & Feeds - Empathy
Rootgrow Ericoid mycorrhizal fungi
This specially adapted Rootgrow™ mycorrhizal fungi will boost the growth of acid-loving plants like rhododendrons, azaleas, heathers and blueberries.
It contains ericoid and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, which are found in poor acidic soils where ericaceous plants naturally grow.
Only £7.50
![](https://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/img/products/squaremedium/empathy-allpurpose_6208.jpg)
Fertilisers & Feeds - Empathy
All-purpose Seaweed Stimulant
All-purpose organic concentrated seaweed feed that is a ready to use, derived from sustainable harvested kelp, that can be used on all outdoor and indoor plants, except acid loving plants.
Perfect used in conjunction with Rootgrow™.
Only £7.50