Savour these tubular belles

PENSTEMON is a fabulous border plant that flowers reliably from early summer to mid-autumn and can flourish in hot, sunny conditions, even in dry soil.

The plants grow 30-90cm tall, depending on the variety. The tubular flowers, which come in a range of pretty colours, are useful for attracting bees, butterflies and other beneficial insects into the garden.

They look best when planted en masse – and are stunning partnered with old-fashioned roses and in a natural-style prairie scheme of ornamental grasses, asters and rudbeckias.

It’s a good idea never to cut penstemons down in autumn. They may be lost to severe weather. Take regular cuttings as an insurance policy against loss.