Penstemon x mexicali Sunburst Ruby - Beardtongue

Penstemon x mexicanus Sunburst Ruby is a perennial herbaceous plant with a long-lasting cherry-red flowering reminiscent of foxgloves. It is hardy and it thrives in moist soils during summer and well-drained conditions throughout the year in full sun. A beautiful and easy flower, ideal for enhancing English or romantic borders and for creating bouquets.

This lovely Penstemon originates from the desert regions of North America, such as the southern United States or Mexico. It can also be found in the dry mountains of this area. Sunburst Ruby is a complex hybrid between an American species and a Mexican species. It is a highly floriferous semi-evergreen perennial that forms a small bush of 50 cm in all directions, with narrow, bright green, shiny leaves that can be alternate, opposite, or even sometimes whorled. The flowers appear in July and continue until the frosts. Oblong and bell-shaped, they are a beautiful cherry-red colour. The throat is white veined with purple. The corolla is set within a purple calyx. This asymmetrical corolla consists of two lips: two lobes fused for the upper lip, three for the lower lip. The name Penstemon derives from the Latin Penta, meaning five. This uniqueness gives it the appearance of open and grimacing lips. Both its morphology and colour remind us of the foxgloves of our mountains, minus the toxicity. The flowers, measuring 3 to 4 cm in length, are gathered in panicles at the upper part of the stem.

Penstemon Sunburst Ruby is hardy in well-drained soil. However, it appreciates winter mulching. It enjoys light soils, accepts calcareous ground, and as a desert plant, it naturally withstands drought very well. It is best placed in full sun or possibly partial shade. Cut the flowers as soon as they fade to encourage further flowering. Its exceptionally long flowering period allows it to accompany summer and autumn plants. Consider silver-leaved wormwoods, and Verbena Star Dreams in mauve for summer. Echinaceas, Nepeta faassenii Six Hill's Giant, in lavender blue, and Liatris spicata also make an appearance for a colourful Indian summer.

In Native American pharmacopoeia, Penstemons have long been used as analgesics to combat toothaches. Nowadays, their ornamental qualities are preferred.