How to Grow Penstemon Perennial Plants

Summer Penstemon in a Xeriscape Garden

Penstemon is often referred to as a short-lived perennial plant. But consider these reasons for growing this summer flowering plant and increase success by learning facts and tips on how to grow penstemon.

Penstemon is an early summer flowering perennial plant. It has great value in the garden for attracting pollinators, being resistant to deer and is an excellent choice for xeriscape gardens.

Facts and Tips for Growing Penstemons

This clump forming plant has a vertical structure that grows to three feet tall. The leaves are long and narrowly shaped with tubular flowers. Basal foliage on many penstemon plants is evergreen through winter.

Penstemon is most successful when grown in full sun planted in soil that drains very well and is lightly composted. It does not thrive well in clay soil. Only a light layer of additional mulch should be applied to winter gardens planted with penstemon. Once established, penstemon is a drought tolerant plant that will thrive in a xeriscpe garden.

Among perennials, this plant only requires an average amount of maintenance work. Penstemon should be dug and divided once every three years, in spring. Cutting back old stems after first flowering will encourage it to rebloom in fall and grow into a fuller compact plant.

Penstemon 'Sweet Joanne' is a new cultivar that grows to 18 inches tall. The flowers start from deep pink buds that open with bright pinkish lavender blooms, each with a white throat and magenta colored veining.

Generally hardy from zones 3 - 8 in the United States, however, penstemon is often referred to as a short-lived perennial in many locations because of the type of soil it needs to thrive.

Drought Tolerant Penstemon for Pollinators

Despite this, penstemon is a good perennial plant choice for many reasons. Penstemon is useful in a xeriscape garden where water is limited. Shorter varieties can be used as a border plant or in a rock garden. It is also chosen for naturalized settings or as part of a cutting garden.

Penstemon is useful for vertical interest and brings early summer flowers to a garden. This flowering plant attracts butterflies as well as hummingbirds because of the deep tubular-shaped blooms.

Some species and cultivars of penstemon tolerate wetter soils; this makes them able to live longer. Where gardeners have had difficulty growing this plant, consider growing Penstemon digitalis or a hybrid cultivar.

Hardier Penstemon Digitalis

Penstemon digitalis is a hardier species, sometimes called foxglove penstemon, because it withstands wetter soil conditions. Penstemon digitalis 'Husker Red' has dark maroon foliage with white flowers. It is tall, growing up to 36" and flowers into midsummer. Penstemon digitalis 'Husker Red' was the Perennial Plant Association winner in 1996.

Penstemon 'Dark Towers' is newer and, also a tough plant, hardy to zone 3. The plant flowers in midsummer with deep lavender-rose flowers, which stand out against the deep reddish bronze foliage. The plant grows to 34" tall.

Penstemon is a useful perennial that will attract pollinators. This summer flowering plant will thrive in a xeriscape garden or where other drought tolerant plants will be appreciated.