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Dark Towers Penstemon

Penstemon 'Dark Towers'

$12.99
$12.99 $0.00
per Plant - 5" Deep Pot
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ZONES  3-8 | Good to grow! Zone
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• Penstemon x ‘Dark Towers’ is a tall native hybrid Beardtongue that blooms in late spring with large, light pink flowers
• Wine red foliage brings season long color
• Well adapted to the moister growing conditions in the eastern half of the US

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Description

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).

Planting & Care

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 Grow.

*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: Growing Penstemon, The Beardtongue Family: Penstemania for Penstemon.

Shipping

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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 fall-planted bulbs are packaged to withstand shipping and are fully-guaranteed. Please open upon receipt and follow the instructions included.

Perennials and fall-planted bulbs are shipped at the proper planting time for your Growing Zone. Perennial and fall-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 at (802) 227-7200 or contact us by email or chat.

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Key Features

Advantages

  • Bee Friendly
  • Attracts Butterflies
  • Attracts Hummingbirds
  • Native
  • Low Maintenance
  • Cut Flowers

Light Requirements

  • Full Sun

Bloom Time

Early summer to mid summer

Additional information

Planting Time

  • Spring / Summer

Soil Moisture

  • Average

Water Tolerance

Low-Water

Soil Type

  • Average Soil
  • Sandy Soil
  • Clay Soil
  • Compost Enriched Garden Loam Soil

Mature Height

30-36" tall

Mature Spread

18-23" wide

Growing Zones

  • Zone 3
  • Zone 4
  • Zone 5
  • Zone 6
  • Zone 7
  • Zone 8

Ideal Region

  • Coastal California
  • Midwest
  • Northeast
  • Pacific Northwest
  • Southwest
  • West

Native To

North America

Non-GMO

No
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