General Culture:
Grow in average, dry to medium moisture, well-drained soil in full sun. Needs full sun for best foliage color. Avoid wet, poorly-drained soils.
Noteworthy Characteristics:
This penstemon cultivar is a clump-forming perennial which typically grows 2-3' tall. Features white (sometimes with a pink blush), two-lipped, tubular flowers borne in panicles atop erect, rigid stems. Flowers bloom mid-spring to early summer. Leaves are maroon (hence the cultivar name). Basal leaves are elliptic and stem leaves are lance-shaped to oblong. Penstemon in Greek means five stamens (four are fertile and one is sterile). Penstemon is sometimes commonly called beard tongue because the sterile stamen has a tuft of small hairs. Perennial Plant Association Plant of the Year (1996).
Problems:
No serious insect or disease problems. Root rot can occur in wet, poorly-drained soils. Leaf spots are occasional problems. Flowering can be quite profuse and support is sometimes necessary.
Uses:
Mass in sunny borders. Also effective as accent or specimen.
© Missouri Botanical
Garden, 2001-2010
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