Penstemon digitalis Dakota Burgundy - Foxglove beardtongue

The Penstemon digitalis 'Dakota Burgundy' is a remarkably compact variety with highly dark glossy foliage that creates a sublime contrast with its pinkish-purple flowering. On its low, bushy and richly coloured vegetation, numerous flowers bloom in July-August, carried in dense clusters on almost black stems. Invite it onto your terrace, in a border, a flower bed, or even among your favourite bush roses: this penstemon with a strong personality has plenty of charm!

The Penstemon digitalis belongs to the Scrophulariaceae family, like the foxglove, whose flowers are similar. The 'digitalis' penstemon is native to North America. It is mainly found in the eastern and southeastern United States, growing in dry areas such as meadows or open forests on well-drained, loamy or sandy soil. The 'Dakota Burgundy' variety, recently introduced in the USA, is part of a line of hybrids called the Dakota Series, selected for their small size, hardiness, and beautiful colours.

The 'Dakota Burgundy' Penstemon develops from a sturdy base, forming a basal rosette of glossy leaves and then a clump of leafy stems slightly wider than tall (about 35 cm (14in) tall and 45 cm (18in) wide). The colour of the leaves darkens as the weeks go by: they change from a purplish green to chocolate purple and then almost blackish purple in summer. In June, thick, hairy, burgundy-red stems rise, becoming almost black, not exceeding 50 cm (20in) in height. They are adorned with smaller, very dark-coloured leaves. At their tips, tubular flowers with five lobes bloom in pairs on numerous branches, forming beautiful clusters measuring 15 cm (6in) in length. Their colour is a pinkish shade with a touch of purple. This variety is hardy in well-drained, healthy soil. Its foliage is semi-evergreen in winter.

The 'Dakota Burgundy' penstemon deserves a prime spot: it stands out in summer in a bed of perennials or shrubs that receive plenty of sunlight. It can be paired with romantic bush roses (Bouquet Parfait, Pomponella) or the small Physocarpus Little Devil, which is also very dark. But also in a more minimalist style, with beautiful blue grasses like blue fescues or Schizachyrium scoparium Prairie Blues. It also pairs well with the blue blooms of bellflowers and annual lobelias. This small penstemon also performs well in a pot, with proper drainage and regular fertiliser applications. Penstemons also make excellent cut flowers.