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Name that Penstemon

Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
edited June 2018 in Plants
I've had this lovely penstemon creeping along a border for 5-6 yrs. it's now about 6ft wide.
It starts flowering end of May, has a break in July for about 3 weeks then flowers again enthusiastically until the frosts. A few leaves remain over winter close to the base.
The only one I can find is P. spectabilis that looks close, but I don't think it would survive some of the winters we've had.
Any ideas?
Thanks


Billericay - Essex

Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
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Posts

  • Papi JoPapi Jo Posts: 4,254
    Does not look like a penstemon to me. The foliage is different. You do have a pink penstemon on the right.
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    edited June 2018
    Thanks PJ - any idea what it is then?
    Another couple of pics may help





    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • BorderlineBorderline Posts: 4,700
    That's pretty Pete8. Are the large leaves around, part of the Penstemon? Could it be Penstemon Fruticosus?
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    edited June 2018
    Thanks BL - It's so pretty and reliable. I've just taken some cuttings
    There are 3 plants in the pic above - The mystery plant going right across the front with toothed leaves (so I don't think it's P Fruticosus) - the 2 green 'sprouts (middle and right) are part of the plant. Behind is P. Garnet (with thin poinetd leaves) and there's a little acer top right - and some lupins in the distance..

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • Papi JoPapi Jo Posts: 4,254
    Campanula? 
  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,585
    Could be penstemon "Heavenly blue" ?
  • DimWitDimWit Posts: 553
    There are few penstemons with toothed leaves, this could be Penstemon smallii (aka, duh, Small's Penstemon).
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    Thanks for the replies - keep 'em coming
    I love Campanulas, but with some exceptions they tend to be slug food, so I don't know.

    Heavenly blue has longer, narrower leaves and is upright with flowers along the stem - mine has flowers in bunches.

    I like smalii very much and it was on Gardeners World on Friday - from a nursery just down the road! but it's not that either I don't think - but I will be visiting the nursery - I never knew it was there - must be well hidden

    I've been searching on and off for years to try and find out what it is - I believe it was a penstemon I bought but can't be entirely sure

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • Richard HodsonRichard Hodson Posts: 790
    Looking at the foliage I think it is a campanula.
  • DimWitDimWit Posts: 553
    Hey, what about this other chap, Penstemon serrulatus, Cascade Penstemon! (I'd like one...)
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