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Penstemon Favourites

MeomyeMeomye Posts: 949
edited 17 January in Plants
I love penstemons but lost a lot during the wet freeze spell of winter '22. I would love to know your recommendations re colour, hardiness etc. I see @Marlorena that you enjoy 'Penshams' particularly Westminster Belle, very nice. If you could recommend suppliers that would be great also. Many thanks.
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  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,585
    I would recommend "Garnet" in particular  :)

    As for nurseries,  this is a very good one.  I have bought from them at shows and online. Their new stock list comes out on 4th March. 
    https://www.greenjjam.co.uk/penstemon
  • BluejaywayBluejayway Posts: 392
    'Sour Grapes' has done well for me
  • PerkiPerki Posts: 2,527
    edited 17 January
    Garnet probably my favourite. I like raven and plum jerkum aswell. 
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    I have - or have had - lots.

    'Garnet' is the hardiest I have and it grows vigorously.
    Stems will also root where they touch the soil, so it spreads nicely.
    I've had lots of this variety, but lost all but a coupe of plants last winter.
    I'd had many for around 15 years!
    Cuttings are extremely easy too.

    White Bedder also does well, but is not as hardy.
    Sour Grapes also does well here.
    Hidcote Pink grows very well and gets to about 3ft and flowers prolifically throughout the summer.
    P. Serrulatus (Cascade Penstemon) is extremely hardy and grows almost like a shrub, but only about 18"
    Raven gets to about 3ft and flowers all summer long.
    Electric Blue is an amazing colour, but doesn't really thrive here sadly for some reason.

    I lost most of the above plants during last winter :( I'd had them growing happily for 10+ years, then lost most of them.

    As a rough guide, those with narrow leaves are the hardiest.



    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • MarlorenaMarlorena Posts: 8,705
    You might also like to try the Arabesque series, which is a seed raised strain and appears to be reasonably hardy.. RHS H4.  My plants survived last winter unscathed and evergreen.. still doing well so far..  I got them from local garden centres.

    The 2 I have are Arabesque 'Violet' and 'Apple Blossom'.. 
    East Anglia, England
  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    edited 17 January
    In common with some of the previous replies, my most hardy ones are "Garnet" and one that was sold as "Sour Grapes" (at the time when it was fashionable) but I'm pretty sure it's actually "Stapleford Gem". Similar almost-metallic looking blue/purple colour, but "Stapleford Gem" is a lot lighter. I also have a deep plum coloured one that's pretty hardy, I think it's "Raven" but I'm not sure. I also had "Blackbird" which is similar.
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • MeomyeMeomye Posts: 949
    Thank you all so much for your time and recommendations, I think over the years I have had most of what you have mentioned, particularly, the purple ones (I went through a purple faze a few years back) One of my most hardy ones was a lilac coloured one that used to flower all through winter until it got wiped out in that cold snap of '22. I have also had a couple of Arabesques, which, as @Marlorena says, are lovely. I haven't had a Garnet @AnniD and @Perki for a long time so that needs looking in to. @Pete.8 My Electric blue has always been amazing but I have relocated it for this year so we shall see...
    Please keep them coming, meanwhile I will carry on perusing.  
  • Songbird-2Songbird-2 Posts: 2,349
    edited 17 January
    We have Penstemon Summertime Pink ( I think ( from memory) , would  have to dig out label) which is still in full foliage despite the high winds, rain and snow and frost. No flowers on now but the leaves are still good with no signs of damage...... Here it is in November, still flowering....
    The main plant is to the right of the potted plant and some six or so inches from the actual ground.


  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,585
    What pretty colour @Songbird-2 :)
    I'd be interested to know the name for certain. I feel a plant order coming on...
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    Another vote for Garnet.
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
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