Penstemon barbatus 'Cambridge Mixed'
bearded penstemon 'Cambridge Mixed'
Compact perennial from a seed raised mix, to 30cm tall, with semi-evergreen basal rosettes and deciduous stems with grey-green leaves to 8cm long. From early summer to early autumn bears loose spires of hanging, tubular pink, rose, blue and purple flowers 4cm long
Buy this plant
Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metresTime to ultimate height
1–2 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Grey Silver Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Pink Blue Purple | Grey Silver Green | ||
| Autumn | Grey Silver Green | |||
| Winter | Grey Silver Green |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H5Botanical details
- Family
- Plantaginaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Semi evergreen
- Habit
- Clump forming
- 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
Accepted
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in fertile, well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade. In cold areas, protect plant overwinter with dry winter mulch. Ideal for container cultivation. See penstemon cultivation
Propagation
Propagate by seed in late winter or spring. Flowering 16-20 weeks after sowing
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Coastal
- Cottage and informal garden
- Patio and container plants
- Wildlife gardens
- Gravel garden
- Cut flowers
- Flower borders and beds
Pruning
Deadhead after flowering to maintain vigour and prolong flowering, then cut back to 15cm in late winter or early spring
Pests
May be susceptible to slugs, snails, aphids and leaf and bud eelworms
Diseases
May be susceptible to a downy mildew, grey moulds, Powdery mildews and a fungal leaf spot
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.