9 top penstemon varieties
‘Andenken an Friedrich Hahn’ AGM
Named for an 18th century German astronomer, this hardy penstemon bred in 1918 is better known by the old name ‘Garnet’. Blooms open from midsummer to autumn and show well against silveryleaved Artemisia ‘Powis Castle’ HxS: 30x24in (75x60cm).
P. heterophyllus ‘Catherine de la Mare’
Poor ‘Catherine’ has had her RHS AGM rescinded for poor performance, but when on form the sheen of pink, purple and blue flowers is remarkable. Blooms open in early summer as companions for peonies and bearded iris. H&S: 2ft (60cm).
‘Stapleford Gem’ AGM
My favourite penstemon colours are those where pinks, blues and lilacs wash and merge. Use as an accompaniment to the fragrant repeat-flowering pink shrub rose Gertrude Jekyll (‘Ausbord’). HxS: 30x18in (75x45cm).
‘Bredon’
Bred at Pershore College, ‘Bredon’ is a strong, upright cultivar. Plants usually overwinter well, flowering from midsummer into autumn. Team with the dark leaves of Persicaria microcephala ‘Red Dragon’ or Eupatorium rugosum ‘Chocolate’. HxS: 30x18in (75x45cm).
‘Raven’ AGM
Blooms are a purple so deep that buds almost appear to be frosted with a slaty bloom. From the Bird Series, this is not the hardiest of penstemons, so use as bedding plants and always strike a few summer cuttings to overwinter. HxS: 36x18in (1mx45cm).
‘White Bedder’
This large-flowered penstemon dates from 1912 and has been known as ‘Snowstorm’. It makes a creamy-pink mass with pink rose ‘Gruss an Aachen’. Needs a well-drained soil and full sun to establish well. HxS: 30x18in (75x45cm).
Dakota Burgundy
This compact form of P. digitalis is very hardy in well-drained soil. Flowers 1in (2.5cm) long open from June in great profusion. Plant with airy Gaura lindheimeri ‘The Bride’ and Echinacea purpurea ‘White Swan’. HxS: 24x18in (60x45cm).
‘Schoenholzeri’ AGM
Better known as ‘Firebird’, this has been around since 1939 and makes a fine border plant. Flowers are borne over a long period and plants cope well with wetter soils. Good for late summer, alongside mauve-blue Agapanthus ‘Radiant Star’. HxS: 3x2ft (1mx60cm).
‘Strawberries and cream’
This is a mix of pinks, with strong throat markings and a long flowering period. Set with pink and white P. ‘Melting Candy’ and darker P. ‘Blackberry’ or dark-leaved, Dahlia ‘Twyning’s After Eight’. HxS: 24x18in (60x45cm).