Scientific Name
Penstemon spp.
Common Name
Bearded tongue

Characteristics

Season
late spring to summer
Height
18-36 inches
Hardiness
USDA Hardiness Zone 5-8
Flower Color
bright red, pink, rose, violet, orange, white
Soil
well drained soil
Exposure
full sun
Propagation
seed sown late summer, cuttings in summer, division
North Carolina Regions
Mountains, Piedmont, Coastal Plain
Comments
Penstemon is a dramatically beautiful, tall, slender plant. The cultivar 'Husker Red' has maroon foliage and light pinkish flowers. Many hybrids of uncertain parentage occur with varying hardiness, so mulch well in winter.
Origin
Mexico, Southwestern USA

Prepared by: orginally by Alice B. Russell, retired Extension Specialist, NC State University
                     maintained and expanded by Erv Evans, Consumer Horticulturist, NC State University

Images: ©Alice B. Russell and Erv Evans

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