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Penstemon rupicola
  • RHS AGM
  • RHS Plants for pollinators

rock penstemon

A creeping dwarf evergreen sub-shrub to 6cm in height, with small, rounded glaucous leaves and tubular, two-lipped rosy-pink flowers 3cm in length opening from late spring

Other common names
cliff beardtongue
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Size
Ultimate height
Up to 10cm
Time to ultimate height
5–10 years
Ultimate spread
0.1–0.5 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Pink Green Grey Silver
Summer Pink Green Grey Silver
Autumn Green Grey Silver
Winter Green Grey Silver
Position
  • Full sun
  • Partial shade
Aspect

South–facing or West–facing or North–facing or East–facing

Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H5
Botanical details
Family
Plantaginaceae
Native to the UK
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Matforming
Genus

Penstemon may be deciduous or evergreen perennials or subshrubs, with simple, narrow leaves and racemes or panicles of bell-shaped or funnel-shaped flowers in summer and early autumn

Name status

Correct

Plant range
W North America

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in poor to moderately fertile, very gritty, well-drained soil in full sun. In cold areas, protect plant overwinter with a dry winter mulch. See penstemon cultivation for further advice The plant illustrated here is the cultivar 'Diamond Lake'

Propagation

Propagate by seed

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Patio and container plants
  • Rock garden
  • Gravel garden
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Coastal
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Wildlife gardens
Pruning

Deadhead after flowering to maintain vigour. Then cut back to base in early spring

Pests

May be susceptible to slugs, snails, glasshouse red spider mite, and leaf and bud eelworms

Diseases

Generally disease-free

Get involved

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