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Herbaceous Perennial

Penstemon 'Purple Riding Hood'PBR (Riding Hood Series)
  • RHS Plants for pollinators

penstemon 'Purple Riding Hood'

Has rich, purple-pink flowers with prominent white stamens. Compact,lowbranchinggrowing habit, reaching about 60cm

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Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metres
Time to ultimate height
2–5 years
Ultimate spread
0.1–0.5 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green
Summer Purple Green
Autumn Purple Green
Winter Green
Position
  • Full sun
  • Partial shade
Aspect

West–facing or South–facing or East–facing

Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H4
Botanical details
Family
Plantaginaceae
Native to GB / Ireland
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 - see Penstemon cultivation for further information

Propagation

Propagate by softwood cuttings in early summer or semi-ripe cuttings in midsummer.

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Coastal
  • Gravel garden
  • Patio and container plants
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Wall side borders
Pruning

Deadhead after flowering to maintain vigour. Then cut back in spring - see Penstemon cultivation

Pests

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

Diseases

Generally disease-free, but may be susceptible to powdery mildews

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