Yellow Pineleaf Penstemon

Penstemon pinifolius Mersea Yellow (Yellow Pineleaf Beardtongue) is an English selection of our native pineleaf Penstemon grown for its bright yellow tubular flowers that cover the plant in late spring/early summer. This small shrub has attractive evergreen, pine-needle like foliage and a tidy mounding for. Drought resistant/drought tolerant plant (xeric). 12" tall x 15" wide
Zones4 - 9
Advantages
bee-friendly
Bee Friendly
attract-butterflies
Attract Butterflies
attract-hummingbirds
Attract Hummingbirds
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Attract Birds
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Native
hcg-evergreen-icon
Evergreen
hcg-rabbit-resistant-icon
Rabbit Resistant
Light Requirements
full-sun
Full Sun
Water Tolerance
Low-Water
Mature Height 12" tall
Mature Spread15" wide
Bloom TimeLate spring to late summer
Shipping DetailsShipping begins the week of August 28th, 2023 Learn More…
SKUHC016190

USDA Hardiness Planting Zones

To determine if a plant is sufficiently cold hardy, the USDA created numbered zones indicating winter low temperatures; the lower the zone number the colder the winter.

  • If the coldest winter temperature expected in your area is -15°F (zone 5) then any plants rated zones 3-5 will survive the winter temperatures in your area.
  • If you live in very warm winter areas (zones 9-11) plants with zones 3-4 ratings are not recommended. The lack of freezing winter temperatures do not provide a time for winter dormancy (rest).

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SKU
HC016190
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Details
This unusual color variant (or "sport") was discovered in an English garden in 1980. Hundreds of soft yellow tubular flowers cover the plant for many weeks in midsummer. Originally, we expected 'Mersea Yellow' to not be as vigorous and heat tolerant as orange-flowered Penstemon pinifolius, but its performance in our gardens has proved otherwise. This plant does appreciate a little extra water and can be grown in both lean and enriched garden soils as long as the drainage is good. Needs afternoon shade in hot desert climates. Yellow Penstemons are a great rarity in this huge genus. 12" tall x 15" wide (cutting propagated).

Flat of 9 plants will cover 12 square feet when planted together

More Information
Associated SKUsHC016190
HC014208 (Plant - 5" Deep Pot)
HC015742 (Tray of 9)
Common Name
Yellow Pineleaf Beardtongue
Botanical Name
Penstemon pinifolius 'Mersea Yellow'
Zones
4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Light Requirements
Full Sun
Flower Color
Yellow
Mature Height
12" tall
Mature Spread
15" wide
Bloom Time
Late spring to late summer
Ships As
Potted Plant
Evergreen Foliage
Yes
Soil Type
Average Soil, Sandy Soil
Soil Moisture
Waterwise
Advantages
Bee Friendly, Attract Butterflies, Attract Hummingbirds, Attract Birds, Native, Evergreen, Rabbit Resistant
Ideal Region
Anywhere In The US, Northeast, Midwest, West, Southwest, Pacific Northwest, Suitable Above 7000 ft
Planting Time
Spring / Summer, Fall
Neonicotinoid Free
Native To
North America
Ships To Canada
No
Planting Guides

Tips for growing Penstemon (Beardtongue)

Penstemon are generally evergreen and have beautiful flowers that are very attractive to hummingbirds. Most varieties are rabbit resistant.

  1. They need “elbow room,” maximum sun, heat and don’t like to be crowded by other plants.
  2. Plant only in well-drained soils; clay soils and Penstemon are incompatible.
  3. Avoid overly enriched soils; too much compost and fertilizer will shorten their lifespan.
  4. They establish quickly and the amount and frequency of watering needs to be reduced after about 8 to 10 weeks to create dry conditions.
  5. When using drip irrigation, be sure to put the emitter off to the side of the plant, not right on top of the root ball to avoid overwatering the plant.
  6. Plant high, leaving the top of the rootball just above the surrounding soil to avoid burying the crown of the plant.
  7. Mulch with gravel or pine needles in arid climates. No mulch is needed where conditions are moister. Always avoid bark, grass clippings, or compost as mulch materials.
  8. Allow some of the plants to set seed (don't deadhead all of the flower spikes)*.
  9. Fertilize sparingly. One time each year in the fall is enough. Apply a light application of an organic or natural fertilizer such as Yum Yum Mix as a top dressing around the plants. Don't use high nitrogen water soluble fertilizer like Miracle Gro

*To keep penstemon that have finely textured or matted evergreen foliage looking their best, you'll want to 'deadhead" them. Shear off the fading flowering spikes just as the plant is going out of flower. Gently bunch the flower spikes together with one hand and cut them off at the point where they go down into the mat of foliage with your clipper in your other hand. Recommended for the following varieties: P. pinifolius types (‘Compactum', ‘Mersea Yellow', ‘Nearly Red', ‘Magdalena Sunshine' and ‘Tall Orange Mix'), as well as Penstemon linarioides v. coloradensis and Penstemon virens ('Blue Lips').

More in-depth guidance for growing Penstemon: Watch our video: How To Plant Penstemon or read articles: Growing Penstemon, Penstemon for the Waterwise Garden, David’s Favorite Plants: Pineleaf Beardtongue, The Beardtongue Family: Penstemania for Penstemon and The Genus Penstemon: The Royalty of American Wildflowers The Genus Penstemon: The Royalty of American Wildflowers (Part 2).


View more Planting Guides, or download our complete Planting Guide for tips on caring for your plants when you receive your order, as well as planting instructions for Perennials, Spring-Planted Bulbs, Fall-Planted Bulbs, Cacti & Succulents, Xeric Plants and more.
Shipping
ZoneShipping Status
Zone 2Shipping begins the week of August 28th, 2023
Zone 3Shipping begins the week of August 28th, 2023
Zone 4Shipping begins the week of August 28th, 2023
Zone 5Shipping begins the week of September 4th, 2023
Zone 6Shipping begins the week of September 11th, 2023
Zone 7Shipping begins the week of September 18th, 2023
Zone 8Shipping begins the week of September 25th, 2023
Zone 9Shipping begins the week of October 2nd, 2023
Zone 10Shipping begins the week of October 9th, 2023

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