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Penstemon is also known as ‘the beard tongue’ and belongs to the family Scrophulariaceae, which contains over a hundred genera including Antirrhinum and Foxgloves. So it is no surprise that the tubular flowers spiral round each stem.
\nPenstemon are reliable perennials with fibrous roots that do not stray. They are relatively trouble free and resistant to slugs and other garden pests. Keep growing young plants to increase your stock.<\/p>\n
Perfect Penstemon Growing<\/strong><\/p>\n Seed is available from Chiltern’s and other merchants from the 6 inch high rockery Penstemon hirsutus pygmaeus through to the 6 foot high Penstemon palmeri.\u00c2\u00a0 Alternatively gather seeds from friends, beg from clubs or buy\u00c2\u00a0 mixtures to give a new Penstemon a try.<\/p>\n A great resource is provided by Jim Swayne and Tom Clothier listing over 200 Penstemon species. In addition to height and width there are comments about habitat and germination temperatures. For detail check out the link<\/a><\/p>\n Penstemon History<\/strong> National Collections<\/strong> in the UK include Warren & Kate Gilchrist Tadley, Near Basingstoke, Pershore College of Horticulture and Clive & Kathy Gandley Gatcombe Penstemon Arenarii \n Top 20 Penstemon Hybrid Varieties<\/strong> Apple Blossom Small flower. Pale pink with delicately streaked white throat. Clump forming. Ht 80cm. AGM RHS The Garden Magazine for September 2009 has a special offer of 4 different AGM Penstemon varieties. White Bedder, Hidcote Pink, Stapleford Gem and Osprey all 28-42 ” tall. Penstemon is also known as ‘the beard tongue’ and belongs to the family Scrophulariaceae, which contains over a hundred genera including Antirrhinum and Foxgloves. So it is no surprise that the tubular flowers spiral round each stem. Penstemon are reliable perennials with fibrous roots that do not stray. They are relatively trouble free and resistant to slugs and other garden pests. Keep growing young plants to increase your stock. Perfect Penstemon Growing Penstemon flower for six months from May to…<\/p>\n\n
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\nGrowing From Seed<\/strong><\/p>\n![\"penstemon\"](\"http:\/\/farm6.staticflickr.com\/5281\/5207007541_885a9f0162.jpg\")
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\nPenstemon are native to USA and Mexico and survive and thrive in a variety of habitats. They are reputed to have been used by Native Americans to relieve toothache .
\nLinnaeus named Chelone pentstemon in 1753 to correspond to the notion that the name referred to the unusual fifth stamen.
\nAlthough several species were found in the 18th century, they continued to be classified as Chelone until about the 1820s. At the start of the 19th centuary the number of known species increased to 63 (now over 250) and seeds began to be offered for sale in Europe. The earliest UK Penstemon dates from 1813, with John Fraser offering four species in London. Subsequently many hybrids were developed in Europe. American Penstemon Society<\/a> was formed to promote both horticultural and botanical interest.<\/p>\n
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\nTop 20 Penstemon Species<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nPenstemon Barbartus good border varities
\nPenstemon confertus yellow flowers
\nPenstemon cyanthus blue rockery flower
\nPenstemon Deusti
\nPenstemon Gairdneriani
\nPenstemon Harbouriani
\nPenstemon Humiles
\nPenstemon Multiflori
\nPenstemon isophyllus reliable red flowers
\nPenstemon Proceri
\nPenestmon hartwegii. Tubular Bells
\nPenstemon barbatus Golden-beard or Beardlip
\nPenstemon pinifolius Green pineneedle or Mersea yellow.
\nPenstemon digitalis huskers red
\nPenstemon eatonii Gray Eaton
\nPenstemon palmeri Palmer’s penstemon
\nPenstemon hartwegii
\nPenstemon heterophyllus father of many blue plants
\nPenstemon hirsutus hairy beardstongue<\/p>\n
\nDescriptions from Chilton Nurseries<\/a><\/p>\n
\nBurgundy Dark reddish-purple flowers and streaked throat. Robust plant. Very dark red stems. Ht 1m.
\nCatherine de le Mare Vivid purple-blue tinged pink. Spreading habit. Ht 45cm. AGM
\nChester Scarlet. Large intensely bright red flowers on red stems. Large, sparse foliage. Ht 90cm AGM
\nEvelyn Slender rose-pink flowers. White throat streaked purplish red. Neat bushy plant, dense narrow foliage, very floriferous. Ht 50cm. AGM
\nFlamingo Bright pink with large, round, white mouth. Ht 95cm.
\nGeoff Hamilton Wine-red flowers, translucent in the sun. Flowers from summer to autumn.
\nHeavenly Blue Bright blue flowers with a hint of mauve. Spreading. Ht 45cm.
\nMargery Fish Pale blue to mauve flowers. Very floriferous. Spreading habit. Very hardy. Ht 45cm. AGM
\nMaurice Gibbs Magenta with white mouth. Tall, erect plant. Ht 90cm. AGM
\nModesty Bright red-pink with white streaked throat. Shiny olive-green foliage. Ht 80cm.
\nMother of Pearl Cream tinged azure-blue and pale purple flowers with maroon streaked throat. Tall, erect plant. Soft green foliage. Ht 110cm.
\nPensham Czar Large violet flowers with white throats. Excellent growth habit.
\nPensham Kay Burton Vibrant pink. Vigorous large-flowered variety. Ht 1m.
\nPort Wine Large reddy-purple flowers. Heavily marked throat with no dark patches at mouth. Tall, stiff, upright plant. Ht 1m. AGM
\nPurple Bedder Deep purple to purple-red. Purple to green stems grow horizontal then vertical. Compact. Ht 70cm.
\nRaven Large deep purple flowers with prominent white, purple-veined throat. Very hardy. Tall, very erect. Ht 110cm. AGM
\nSchoenholzeri Firebird Bright scarlet flowers, bushy, narrow, green foliage. Very hardy.
\nSnowstorm Pure white. Compact habit. Ht 70cm.
\nSour Grapes Deep purple with blue base creamy throat. Flower buds in clusters.<\/p>\n![\"Penestemon\"](\"http:\/\/farm4.staticflickr.com\/3532\/3984013757_a4ddaae187.jpg\")
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\nSnow Storm or White Bedder<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nOther Resources <\/strong>
\nGardeners Perennial Tips<\/a>
\nRoyal Horticultural Society RHS<\/a> ‘Gardening for All’
\nNational Council for Conservation of Plants and Gardens<\/a> ‘Conservation through Cultivation.’
\nGarden Organic<\/a> National Charity for Organic Gardening.
\nBBC Gardening<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"