Penstemon digitalis 'Husker Red'
penstemon 'Husker Red'
'Husker Red' is a bushy perennial to 75cm tall, with lance-shaped, deepwine-red young leaves and stems, and panicles of bell-shaped, pure white flowers 2.5cm long in late spring and early summer
Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Purple | White | Purple | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Purple | White | Purple | |
| Autumn | Purple | |||
| Winter | Purple |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
West–facing or East–facing or South–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H5Botanical details
- Family
- Plantaginaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Semi evergreen
- Habit
- Bushy
- 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 a dry winter mulch. See penstemon cultivation for further advice
Propagation
Propagate by seed but the offspring will be variable, often with flowers of a murky shade. Propagate by softwood cuttings in early summer or semi-ripe stem tip cuttings in late summer to early autumn. Divide clumps in spring
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Coastal
- Cottage and informal garden
- Gravel garden
- Prairie planting
- Wildlife gardens
- Flower borders and beds
Pruning
Tidy any winter damaged growth in early spring. Deadhead after flowering (unless seed is needed)
Pests
Slugs and snails, aphids and leaf and bud eelworm can be troublesome
Diseases
May be affected by grey mould, powdery mildew or fungal leaf spot
Get involved
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