Penstemon superbus
Penstemon superbus
Penstemon superbus
Penstemon superbus
Superb Penstemon, Superb Beardtongue
More information
Back-to-school special offer!
Get €10 off for every €50 you spend! And get up to €40 off on a single order.
How does it work?
1. Shop your favourites
Add your favourite plants to your basket. For every €50 you spend (excluding delivery charges, store credit and the plastic-free option), you’ll receive a €10 voucher.
€50 spent = €10 voucher
€100 spent = €20 voucher
€150 spent = €30 voucher
€200 spent = €40 voucher
2. Place your order
Once your basket reaches one of the spending thresholds, place your order. You can even choose your delivery date!
3. Receive your voucher
As soon as your order has been shipped, you’ll receive an email containing your personal voucher code and its value.
4. Use it on your next order
Your voucher is valid for 90 days from the date you receive it. It can be used once only, on a new order worth at least the value of the voucher, excluding delivery charges.
Please note: Vouchers can be combined with other offers, but cannot be split or refunded.
Why not try an alternative variety in stock?
View all →
Available in 1 sizes
Available in 1 sizes
Available in 1 sizes
Available in 1 sizes
Available in 1 sizes
Available in 2 sizes
Available in 2 sizes
Available in 2 sizes
Available in 2 sizes
Available in 2 sizes
This plant carries a 12 months recovery warranty
More information
We guarantee the quality of our plants for a full growing cycle, and will replace at our expense any plant that fails to recover under normal climatic and planting conditions.
Would this plant suit my garden?
Set up your Plantfit profile →
Description
The Penstemon superbus, also known as the magnificent beardtongue, carries its name like a torch. Proud, shiny, and delicate, its flowering, reminiscent of a phlox, emerges from rockeries and well-drained beds from mid-spring to summer. In winter, its rosette foliage remains decorative, a bluish-grey-green colour often tinged with violet. A lovely flower for dry soil!
The Penstemon superbus is a herbaceous perennial belonging to the Plantaginaceae family. This botanical species is native to Arizona, New Mexico, and northern Mexico. In the wild, it grows in rocky canyons and on lava between 1000 and 1700 meters above sea level. The magnificent beardtongue forms a basal clump composed of large lanceolate, glossy leaves with a bluish-grey-green colour, often violet-tinged. This foliage persists in winter. Flowering occurs from May to July, depending on the climate. Floral stems up to 80 cm in height emerge from the foliage. The tubular flowers at the base open widely into five lobes, measuring 3-4 cm long and are vibrant orange-red. They are distributed in small groups along the stem. This plant has a deep root system, which can make transplantation difficult but allows it to find some coolness at depth. The hardiness of this species is estimated at -15 °C in dry soil.
The Penstemon superbus is well adapted to our dry regions in summer and winter. It can be planted in raised beds, well-drained rockeries, or gravel gardens in favourable climates. It is a plant that does not tolerate excess water well. Beautiful scenes can be combined with shrubby salvias, baptisias, toadflaxes, and dry soil grasses such as Stipa pulcherrima, Eragrostis, or Muhlenbergia capillaris. Sow some love-in-a-mist, perennial flax and Californian poppies to spice things up. When planted in autumn, it will have time to establish its roots deeply and withstand the summer without damage. It is also a beautiful flower for bouquets.
Flowering
Foliage
Plant habit
Botanical data
Penstemon
superbus
Scrophulariaceae
Superb Penstemon, Superb Beardtongue
North America
Planting and care
Penstemon superbus thrives in a high-altitude desert climate. It tolerates drought well but is sensitive to long, wet, and cold winters. It has good hardiness, withstanding temperatures as low as -15°C for short periods in well-drained, rocky, or sandy soil. In clayey soil, it is advisable to mix coarse river sand or gravel into the planting soil and plant it in a raised bed or a large rock garden. Once well-established, this Penstemon does not require watering in the summer.
To successfully cultivate botanical Penstemons, the nature of the soil and the climate are crucial. They require very well-drained soil, preferably dry in winter. In excessively moist soil, they quickly rot. In overly fertile soil, they do not live long. In cool climates, place the plants in a warm and sunny location, sheltered from cold winds (south or west exposure). In hot climates, choose a cooler and partially shaded spot. In very cold and humid regions, it is advisable to take stem cuttings in autumn. They are not prone to specific diseases.
This plant requires minimal maintenance, but when removing faded flowers in autumn, lightly prune the withered stems without cutting them down to the ground, especially in regions with humid winters. Indeed, the foliage plays a vital role in moisture regulation. Wait until spring is well established (March-April) to prune the branches that the cold has damaged. If the summer is dry, water regularly to support flowering. Cover the base with glass or a frame in the coldest regions to protect it from severe cold. Divide your Penstemons every three or four years to rejuvenate them, and wait until spring to perform this operation.
Planting period
Intended location
Care
Planting & care advice
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
This item has not been reviewed yet - be the first to leave a review about it.
Recently viewed products
Haven't found what you were looking for?
Hardiness is the lowest winter temperature a plant can endure without suffering serious damage or even dying. However, hardiness is affected by location (a sheltered area, such as a patio), protection (winter cover) and soil type (hardiness is improved by well-drained soil).
The flowering period indicated on our website applies to countries and regions located in USDA zone 8 (France, the United Kingdom, Ireland, the Netherlands, etc.)
It will vary according to where you live:- In zones 9 to 10 (Italy, Spain, Greece, etc.), flowering will occur about 2 to 4 weeks earlier.
- In zones 6 to 7 (Germany, Poland, Slovenia, and lower mountainous regions), flowering will be delayed by 2 to 3 weeks.
- In zone 5 (Central Europe, Scandinavia), blooming will be delayed by 3 to 5 weeks.
In temperate climates, pruning of spring-flowering shrubs (forsythia, spireas, etc.) should be done just after flowering.
Pruning of summer-flowering shrubs (Indian Lilac, Perovskia, etc.) can be done in winter or spring.
In cold regions as well as with frost-sensitive plants, avoid pruning too early when severe frosts may still occur.
The planting period indicated on our website applies to countries and regions located in USDA zone 8 (France, United Kingdom, Ireland, Netherlands).
It will vary according to where you live:
- In Mediterranean zones (Marseille, Madrid, Milan, etc.), autumn and winter are the best planting periods.
- In continental zones (Strasbourg, Munich, Vienna, etc.), delay planting by 2 to 3 weeks in spring and bring it forward by 2 to 4 weeks in autumn.
- In mountainous regions (the Alps, Pyrenees, Carpathians, etc.), it is best to plant in late spring (May-June) or late summer (August-September).
The harvesting period indicated on our website applies to countries and regions in USDA zone 8 (France, England, Ireland, the Netherlands).
In colder areas (Scandinavia, Poland, Austria...) fruit and vegetable harvests are likely to be delayed by 3-4 weeks.
In warmer areas (Italy, Spain, Greece, etc.), harvesting will probably take place earlier, depending on weather conditions.
The sowing periods indicated on our website apply to countries and regions within USDA Zone 8 (France, UK, Ireland, Netherlands).
In colder areas (Scandinavia, Poland, Austria...), delay any outdoor sowing by 3-4 weeks, or sow under glass.
In warmer climes (Italy, Spain, Greece, etc.), bring outdoor sowing forward by a few weeks.