Penstemon (Beard Tongue)
at Digging Dog
Including Penstemon x mexicali varieties Sunburst Ruby, Red Rocks, & Pike’s Peak Purple
Penstemon
Beard Tongue
Among the most exuberantly blooming plants this side of the Mississippi, Penstemon is part of the enchantment of the West. A member of the Snapdragon family, even cultivated varieties retain a natural air, with dainty, long trumpet flowers and five (pent) prominent stamens.
Sturdy and easily grown, species vary from 1 to 5 ft. tall, and range in color from white to pink to purple to deep wine redone for every sunny spot. Trim after the first bloom to encourage a repeat flowering, and cut to the crown in winter for bushy growth next season. View a slideshow of plant images from this genus
This vigorous, upright Penstemon will enhance your garden with slender, white-throated lavender flowers and unusually glossy foliage. A little taller than many of the Penstemons we offer, it’s best suited for the middle of the border. We like it with Agastache ‘Purple Haze’.
Blooms July–November. Size: 3' high x 2' wide; hardy to zone 6. Penstemon ‘Alice Hindley’ (P-0113)
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‘Bev Jensen’ promises a flirty summer show. Dressed with prominent burgundy scallops on the lower lips and dark magenta-streaked white throats, her cerise-colored flowers are big and surprisingly broad. Sturdy straight-backed stems and large, good-looking jade green leaves bolster the bodacious blooms that last ‘till frost —even more reason to welcome her into your garden bed.
Blooms July–October. Size: 2-1/2' high x 18"–2' wide; hardy to zone 7. Penstemon ‘Bev Jensen’ (P-0224)
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Elegant and slender, ‘Blackbird’s deep raspberry-colored flowers hang amidst handsome foliage well into the autumn, a stunning accompaniment to the silvery foliage of Lavandula ‘Silver Frost’.
Blooms June–November. Size: 2-1/2' high x 2' wide; hardy to zone 6. Penstemon ‘Blackbird’ (P-0662)
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A tall-standing, bushy Penstemon strictus and Penstemon gloxinioides hybrid that’s full of vigor, ‘Blue Midnight’ entices us with its plushly painted blooms. Ample-sized tubular flowers in deep bluish purple hues display violet-infused, flared petals and white throats darkened by burgundy streaks.
Broad and deep green, the courtly foliage offers a composed foil for the profuse, long-lasting blossoms, while the upper stems transmute red-orange autumnal highlights, extending the colorful show. Zone 6/7.
Blooms June–October. Size: 2-1/2' high x 3' wide; hardy to zone 7. Penstemon ‘Blue Midnight’ (P-1297)
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‘Elizabeth Cozzens’s fetching display begins with a slew of porcelain-colored buds crowding tall spires. Taking on lavender shades just before they open, the dainty lilac-pink blooms reveal feisty, dark fuchsia-streaked white interiors above tapered, glossy grass-green leaves. Its easy-to-blend pastel flowers look lovely midborder alongside Salvia ‘Caradonna’.
Blooms June – October. Size: 2'–2-1/2' high x 18"–2' wide; hardy to zone 7. Penstemon ‘Elizabeth Cozzens’’ (P-1535)
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Maroon-dappled white throats embellish a copious showing of large rosy purple blossoms, emphasizing a vivid coloration, that’s not too dark and tips that aren’t so widely flared. With long and lustrous, deep green tapered leaves and red-infused stems, Enor’s well-branched upright frame makes an urbane statement in a mixed planting, and looks especially upbeat when positioned near cool blooming perennials like Agastache ‘Black Adder’ and Veronicastrum ‘Lavendelturm’.
Blooms June – September. Size: 2'–3' high x 2' wide; hardy to zone 7. Penstemon ‘Enor’ (P-1730)
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Heralding summer with ample-sized wide-open trumpets, this lush looking Penstemon dresses the border in bright, yet deep shades of cherry-red. Long, somewhat broad, rich green leaves bolster the dazzling flowers, whose maroon and ivory throats appear especially luminous when backed by the late afternoon sun.
Blooms June – October. Size: 2-1/2' high x 2' wide; hardy to zone 7. Penstemon ‘Geoff Hamilton’ (P-1533)
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Colored with many shades of blue, this handsome, bushy Penstemon offers soothing tones. Topping the narrow, bluish green foliage and red-hued stems, short, showy spikes bear a profusion of slim, bright blue tubular flowers, which look exquisite against silver-leafed Veronica ‘Silbersee’.
Blooms June–August. Size: 20" high x 18" wide; hardy to zone 5. AVAILABLE AUGUST 2013 Penstemon heterophyllus ‘Züriblau’ (P-0207)
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This Penstemon is turning a lot of heads. Rich, yet soft salmon pink flowers with white throats embellish commanding spikes all summer. ‘Hidcote Pink’ is an ideal midborder choice for blending the forms and colors of other plants. Back it with Buddleia crispa and front with
Geranium ‘Rozanne’.
Blooms June–October. Size: 2' high x 2' wide; hardy to zone 6. Penstemon ‘Hidcote Pink’ (P-0112)
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Spikes of large, bright scarlet-red tubular blooms are heightened by maroon-streaked white throats. Holding court above a medium green bushy base with narrow and glossy, tailored foliage, the salsa spiced flowers play out an enticing juxtaposition.
Blooms June – September. Size: 20" high x 18" wide; hardy to zone 7. Penstemon ‘King George V’ (P-1476)
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A graceful Bruce Meyers selection, this cross originated between wild Mexican and American Penstemons. The flowers appear in droves with as many as 20 to 30 per stem, and are slightly smaller than the more common varieties. With rich violet-purple petals and a white throat, each bloom is a lovely point of color in our native garden.
One of our most cold-hardy Pentstemons, ‘Pike’s Peak Purple’ will also tolerate a wide range of soil moisture.
Blooms late July–early November. Size: 3'–4' high x 3' wide; hardy to zone 5. AVAILABLE JULY 2013 Penstemon x mexicali ‘Pike’s Peak Purple’ (P-0663)
Each $7.00
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Another versatile Bruce Meyers selection, ‘Red Rocks’ forms the same pleasing vase shape as ‘Pike’s Peak Purple’, and like that cultivar, is nearly evergreen. The bright cherry-pink flowers are
white-throated and lend a cheerful look to our border well into fall.
Blooms late July–early November. Size: 3'–4' high x 3' wide; hardy to zone 5. Penstemon x mexicali ‘Red Rocks’ (P-0664)
Each $7.00
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Arising from a Jelitto Seeds cross between a Mexican and a U.S. species, this compact, ruby-red beauty asserts an enduring versatile nature.
Undaunted by winter cold, summertime heat and humidity, ‘Sunburst Ruby’ bursts into bloom, announcing a wealth of richly colored tubes brightened by white throats.
A stalwart yet poised leafy base features sturdy stems and glistening slender green foliage that maintains a handsome presence throughout the season, and can be associated with Geranium ‘Orion’ and Helianthemum ‘St. Mary’s’.
Blooms June–September. Size: 16" high x 16" wide; hardy to zone 6. Penstemon x mexicali ‘Sunburst Ruby’ (P-1342)
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Introduced by Oregon’s Joy Creek Nursery, this robust Penstemon stands straight while delivering flared lavender-blue tubes decorated with white markings and rich purple striations. Similar in color to ‘Stapleford Gem’, but appearing deeper and more saturated, the arresting flowers crown wide, fine-toothed lusty leaves. Combine ‘Purple Tiger’, Aster ‘Lutetia’ and Achillea ‘Marmalade’ in the garden or a vase for a cheery slice of summer.
Blooms June – October. Size: 2-1/2' high x 2' wide; hardy to zone 7. Penstemon ‘Purple Tiger’ (P-1534)
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Large tubular flowers in a burgundy so lavish and dark they redefine the word “velvety,” enhance this Penstemon. Deep green foliage, red-hued stems and a generous blooming season offer additional enticements, especially when planted with Campanula ‘Prichard’s Variety’ and Rudbeckia paniculata.
Blooms June–October. Size: 2' high x 2' wide; hardy to zone 6. Penstemon ‘Raven’ (p-0858)
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(Penstemon ‘Ruby’)
Lush, deep green foliage and rich burgundy stems create a perfect foil for some of the most sumptuous Penstemon flowers we’ve seen. The calyxes and buds are a wine color similar to the stem, and upon opening, each lively red bloom reveals a white throat with pale pink stripes. Intense scarlet and magenta hues, which appear to glow, highlight the flared tips.
Blooms July–October. Size: 3' high x 2-1/2' wide; hardy to zone 6. Penstemon ‘Schoenholzeri’ (P-0770)
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Earning the prestigious RHS 1993 Garden Merit Award, this outstanding Penstemon’s large, delicately colored trumpets seems to shimmer with hushed violet-blue-hued petals and paler, purple striated white lower lips and throats. Waxy green, lance-shaped leaves densely cloak the robust lush-looking foundation while wine-red stems add warm accents.
Blooms June – September. Size: 2' high x 2' wide; hardy to zone 4. Penstemon ‘Stapleford Gem’ (P-1479)
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The cultivar name for this Penstemon is deceptive. With deep green foliage, upright stalks that withstand wind and rain, and bright white tubular blooms, which look like they were dipped in raspberry jam, ‘Thorn’ is cheerful and vigorous. The rose-red blossom tip fades to a blush after the flower opens. Accent these color changes and take advantage of size by blending with Geranium x magnificum, Lavandula ‘Sawyers’ or Aster ‘October Skies’ in the middle or front of the border.
Blooms July–November. Size: 2' high x 2' wide; hardy to zone 6. Penstemon ‘Thorn’ (P-0169)
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As if pursed for a kiss, this show-stealing Penstemon flaunts large, wide-mouthed white flowers with flared, bright purple lips. Not only BIG, but bountiful as well, the sassy blooms exhibit a snow-white throat and mauve tinges on the outside. ‘Violet Kissed’ is a Joy Creek Nursery introduction whose boldly colored pomp, lustrous foliage and tidy habit earn it a warm welcome in any garden bed.
Blooms June – October. Size: 2' high x 15" wide; hardy to zone 7. Penstemon ‘Violet Kissed’ (P-1536)
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Stiff Beard Tongue
Standing proudly, the stiff upright stems showcase crowded clusters of large blue-violet blooms with lighter purple markings. Rising above gleaming and narrow dark green leaves, its uninhibited floral display promises to attract people and hummingbirds alike.
Just right for edging a path, in the rockery or gracing a container, this impressive low growing perennial is a recent Jelitto Seeds introduction whose stalwart nature can easily handle heat, drought and cold.
Blooms July–September. Size: 15" high x 12" wide; hardy to zone 6.
Penstemon virgatus ‘Blue Buckle’ (p-1192)
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Garden Conservancy Open Day
10:00am to 4:00pm, June 8th at Digging Dog
Unique opportunity to view 3-1/2 acre Private Garden. Nursery open for plant sales
Saturday Stroll & Plant Chat
2:00 to 4:30pm, June 22nd
Join us for a fun, informative guided tour of our colorful display borders. Sip lemonade & take home great gardening ideas.
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