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Dark Towers Hybrid Beardtongue (Penstemon 'Dark Towers' PP 20,013) is a tall hybrid Penstemon that blooms in late spring with large, light pink flowers that are held over wine-red foliage. Well adapted to the moister growing conditions in the eastern half of the US.
Zones
3 - 8
Advantages
Bee Friendly
Attract Butterflies
Attract Hummingbirds
Native
Low Maintenance
Good For Cut Flowers
Light Requirements
Full Sun
Water Tolerance
Low-Water
Mature Height
30-36" tall
Mature Spread
18-23" wide
Bloom Time
Early summer to mid summer
Shipping Details
Now shipping to zones 7-10. Other zones shipping soon. Learn More…
Item Package Size
Plant - 5" Deep Pot
SKU
HC015283
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).
Penstemon Dark Towers (PP 20,013) is a three-foot-tall hybrid beardtongue that blooms with light pink flowers in late spring/early summer. The flowers contrast nicely with the plant's beautiful wine-red foliage. Dark Towers Beardtongue is well adapted to moister growing conditions found in the eastern half of the US where many beardtongues of Western origins will fail. But with just a little extra water, this cultivar also thrives West of the Mississippi as well. The ornamental foliage generally retains good color throughout summer and the plant forms decorative seedheads, making it an excellent companion plant for many warm season ornamental grasses. 'Dark Towers' Penstemon is a hybrid of Penstemon digitalis 'Husker Red' and Penstemon 'Prairie Splendor' developed and introduced by Dale Lindgren at the University of Nebraska. Companion plants include ornamental grasses, Purple Coneflower (Echinacea) and Poppy Mallow (Callirhoe).
Bee Friendly, Attract Butterflies, Attract Hummingbirds, Native, Low Maintenance, Good For Cut Flowers
Ideal Region
Northeast, Midwest, West, Southwest, Pacific Northwest, Coastal California
Planting Time
Spring / Summer
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.
They need “elbow room,” maximum sun, heat and don’t like to be crowded by other plants.
Plant only in well-drained soils; clay soils and Penstemon are incompatible.
Avoid overly enriched soils; too much compost and fertilizer will shorten their lifespan.
They establish quickly and the amount and frequency of watering needs to be reduced after about 8 to 10 weeks to create dry conditions.
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.
Plant high, leaving the top of the rootball just above the surrounding soil to avoid burying the crown of the plant.
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.
Allow some of the plants to set seed (don't deadhead all of the flower spikes)*.
*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').
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
Zone
Shipping Status
Zone 2
Shipping begins the week of May 15th, 2023
Zone 3
Shipping begins the week of May 15th, 2023
Zone 4
Shipping begins the week of May 15th, 2023
Zone 5
Shipping begins the week of April 24th, 2023
Zone 6
Shipping begins the week of April 17th, 2023
Zone 7
Now Shipping
Zone 8
Now Shipping
Zone 9
Now Shipping
Zone 10
Now Shipping
As soon as your order is placed you will receive a confirmation email. You will receive a second email the day your order ships telling you how it has been sent. Some perennials are shipped as potted plants, some as perennial roots packed in peat. The ‘Plant Information’ section describes how that item will ship. All perennials and spring-planted bulbs are packaged to withstand shipping and are fully-guaranteed. Please open upon receipt and follow the instructions included.
Perennials and spring-planted bulbs are shipped at the proper planting time for your hardiness zone. Perennial and spring-planted bulb orders will arrive separately from seeds. If your order requires more than one shipment and all items are shipping to the same address, there is no additional shipping charge. See our shipping information page for approximate ship dates and more detailed information. If you have any questions, please call Customer Service toll-free at (800) 925-9387 or contact us by email.
Shipping Rates
Our shipping rates are calculated based on our actual average shipping costs. We do not seek to profit from shipping fees, so rest assured that our shipping rates reflect an average of what it costs to get our guaranteed products safely to your door.
US Shipping Charges
Merchandise Total
Shipping Charges
Up to $19.99
$8.99
$20 to $34.99
$10.99
$35 to $49.99
$12.99
$50 to $74.99
$14.99
$75 to $99.99
$16.99
$100 and Over
$18.99
Canadian Shipping Charges
Merchandise
Shipping Charges
Up to $24.99
$14.95
$25 to $49.99
$19.95
$50 to $74.99
$24.95
$75 to $99.99
$29.95
$100 and Over
$39.95
We charge one low flat rate for shipping our products even if your order requires multiple shipments. If you have any questions, please call us at (800) 925-9387.
 is a tall hybrid Penstemon that blooms in late spring with large, light pink flowers that are held over wine-red foliage. Well adapted to the moister growing conditions in the eastern half of the US.)
