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Herbaceous Perennial
Clump-forming
H4 (hardy - average winter)
Red and White in Autumn and Summer
Green in Autumn, Spring, Summer and Winter
Purple in Autumn and Summer
0.5-1 metres
0.1-0.5 metres
2-5 years
scarlet beard tongue
Plantaginaceae
Penstemon may be deciduous or evergreen perennials or subshrubs, with simple, narrow leaves and racemes or panicles of bell-shaped or funnel-shaped flowers in summer and early autumn
P. hartwegii is a bushy semi-evergreen perennial to 70cm in height, with narrow foliage and panicles or racemes of slender bright crimson flowers 4cm in length, marked white in the throat and borne on purple stems
Suppliers listed in RHS Plant Finder
Award of Garden Merit
Grow in fertile, well-drained soil in a sheltered position in full sun or partial shade. In cold areas, protect plant overwinter with a dry winter mulch
Propagate by softwood cuttings in early summer or semi-hardwood cuttings in midsummer. Propagate by division in spring
City/Courtyard Gardens, Cottage/Informal Garden or Flower borders and beds
Deadhead after flowering to maintain vigour, then cut back to base in winter
May be attacked by slugs, snails and chrysanthemum eelworms
May be subject to a downy mildew
© The Royal Horticultural Society 2011 / RHS Registered Charity № 222879/SC038262