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Duo of penstemons with purple foliage

Penstemon digitalis Dark Towers, Husker Red
Foxglove Beardtongue, Smooth White Beardtongue, Talus Slope Penstemon

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Two different varieties of penstemons are distinguished by their purple-coloured foliage, as well as their magnificent summer flowering. The first variety offers floral stems adorned with numerous campanulate bells in two shades of pink, while the second variety blooms in a white-pink tone. These perennials are vigorous and highly resistant to cold in well-drained soil. They will bring grace, lightness, and sumptuous colours to your sunny flower beds and borders.

Exposure

Sun

Hardiness

Hardy down to -23°C

Soil type

Silty-loamy (rich and light)

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Best planting time March to April

Recommended planting time March to May, September to October

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Flowering time June to July

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Collection items (2 plants)

x1
Penstemon digitalis Dark Towers - Foxglove beardtongue
Price per single item: 6,90 €
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x1
Penstemon digitalis Husker Red - Foxglove beardtongue
Price per single item: 5,90 €
Find out more

Description

This duo of Penstemon digitalis with purple foliage combines the 'Dark Tower' and 'Husker Red' varieties, undoubtedly the most rewarding for the gardener. These very hardy gentlemen combine dark foliage with a delicate yet generous flowering. Between June and July, they produce dark-coloured floral stems that bear bell-shaped flowers in a delightful range of pink hues. You can plant them in a sunny spot in a romantic, English-style flowerbed or a large flower border.

This duo consists of:

- 1x Penstemon digitalis 'Husker Red': a variety that reaches 60 to 70 cm in height, with leaves coloured brownish-purple that turn slightly green in summer. The floral stems are also brownish-purple, with tubular flowers in a pinkish-white colour.

- 1x Penstemon digitalis 'Dark Towers': a taller variety, reaching 80 cm in height when in bloom. Its foliage is darker than 'Husker Red' and remains more colourful in summer. The floral stems are burgundy and adorned with pale pink flowers with a dark pink base.

Plant this duo of penstemons in a sunny spot in the garden, either in a flowerbed or a large flower border. These perennials tolerate cold winters very well if planted in light, well-drained soil that does not retain too much water in winter. A mixture of compost, garden soil, and coarse sand will suit them. A slightly raised flowerbed is ideal. Leave a spacing of 40 cm between each plant (5 plants per m²). The penstemons in this duo require reasonably rich soil and a little water in summer to flower abundantly.

There are plenty of ideas for creating a large flowerbed, according to each gardener's taste. You can mix these penstemons with tall blue bellflowers, 'Flamingo' Gypsophila (pink), Lychnis 'Angel's Blush', and greater sea kale (Crambe cordifolia) in a large, English-style flowerbed that blooms for months. They also make excellent companions for pink or white roses. Once well-established, this solid and hardy duo only requires pruning the stems to 10 cm above the ground in March-April.

Flowering

Flower colour pink

Flowering time June to July

Inflorescence Spike

Flower size 3 cm

Bee-friendly Attracts pollinators

Good for cut flowers Cut flower blooms

Foliage

Foliage persistence Semi-evergreen

Foliage colour purple

Plant habit

Height at maturity 80 cm

Growth rate normal

Botanical data

Genus

Penstemon

Species

digitalis

Cultivar

Dark Towers, Husker Red

Family

Scrophulariaceae

Other common names

Foxglove Beardtongue, Smooth White Beardtongue, Talus Slope Penstemon

Origin

Cultivar or hybrid

Planting and care

Plant these plants in sunny, well-prepared, light, rich, well-draining soil in early spring or early autumn.

Penstemon digitalis thrives in light, rich, well-drained soil that is not too wet in winter but does not dry out too much in summer. It tolerates a little limestone, and slightly acidic soil is also suitable. These plants are easy to grow and only require a little care due to their relative intolerance of winter humidity. They are truly hardy, tolerating temperatures down to around -30°C. Do not prune the clump at the end of the season, as its semi-evergreen foliage regulates soil moisture. It is possible to mulch the base at the start of winter with a dry bed of dead leaves, crushed sand, and gravel to improve drainage and prevent crown rot caused by excess moisture. Light fertilisation at planting is beneficial, but it should be avoided afterwards, as this could result in Penstemon having overly spindly, loose stems. Although fairly disease-resistant, Penstemon can be prone to powdery mildew and attacked by snails, slugs and chrysanthemum nematodes.

Planting period

Best planting time March to April

Recommended planting time March to May, September to October

Intended location

Suitable for Meadow

Type of use Border, Edge of border

Hardiness Hardy down to -23°C (USDA zone 6a) Show map

Ease of cultivation Amateur

Planting density 5 per m2

Exposure Sun

Soil pH Any

Soil type Silty-loamy (rich and light)

Soil moisture Moist soil, light, rich, well-drained

Care

Pruning instructions Once frosts are no longer a threat, the stump should be cleaned in early spring by pruning to 10 cm. This refreshment will encourage branching and flowering. Remove wilted flowers as you go along, cutting off the flower spikes to induce a second wave of flowers and keep the plant vigorous and compact.

Pruning Pruning recommended once a year

Pruning time March to April

Disease resistance Good

Overwinter Can be left in the ground

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