Penstemon hybrida Raven - Beardtongue

The Penstemon 'Raven' is a floriferous and robust beardtongue with unusually coloured flowering. Reaching over 80 cm (32in) in height, it produces on long sturdy stems an abundance of large campanulate flowers in a deep purple-purplish hue, accentuated by a white throat striped with dark red. This perennial may not be the hardiest, but it blooms profusely from summer to autumn, enhancing all shades of acid green and violet, both in borders and in bouquets. The Royal Horticultural Society has awarded this variety in the UK.

The hybrid Penstemon 'Raven' is a bushy and woody perennial plant belonging to the family of Scrophulariaceae, just like foxgloves and snapdragons. Like many hybrid penstemons, it is the result of cross-breeding several species, mostly originating from Central and North America. This variety quickly forms large upright and generous clumps, sometimes reaching 1 m (3ft) in height, with a minimum diameter of 60 cm (24in). Its green stems, sometimes slightly purplish, are ramified and covered with abundant, lanceolate, semi-evergreen foliage of a vibrant green. The flowering period extends from June to September-October, provided that faded flowers are regularly removed. The flowers develop at the terminal part of the leafy stems. The trailing flowers, shaped like bell-shaped campanulas and measuring 4.5 cm (2in) in length, are gathered in slightly loose clusters. They boast a particularly rich colour, a very intense purple verging on purple, surrounding a throat striped with very dark red.

The 'Raven' beardtongue is best used in borders, due to its large size, among perennials such as agapanthus, caryopteris, purple or violet dahlias, or mixed with annuals such as love-in-a-mist and cosmos. It pairs particularly well with the acidic green tones of lady's mantle and euphorbias. It also performs very well in a large pot, with proper drainage and regular fertiliser. Penstemons also make excellent cut flowers.