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Husker Red Penstemon

Penstemon digitalis 'Husker Red'

$9.59
$9.59 $11.99
per Plant - 5" Deep Pot
Sale | Save 20%
ZONES  3-8 | Good to grow! Zone
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Husker Red has beautiful burgundy colored foliage and tall spikes of pure white tubular flowers. Our plants are grown by cuttings from the original stock plants given to me by the breeder. The 1996 Perennial Plant Association Plant of the Year. Drought resistant/drought tolerant plant (xeric).

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Husker Red Penstemon

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Description

28-32" tall x 15-18" wide. 'Husker Red's' combination of burgundy foliage and tall spikes of abundant white flowers make this 1996 Perennial Plant of the Year a garden standout. Many nurseries have since propagated the plant from seed (not cuttings) resulting in many 'Husker Red' plants lacking the deeply colored leaves of the original. Not so from us. Our plants are grown from breeder Dale Lindgren's original stock.

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 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: Growing Penstemon,]David’s Favorite Plants: Pineleaf Beardtongue, 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 Hummingbirds
  • Native
  • Long Bloom Time
  • Naturalizes
  • Rabbit Resistant
Light Requirements
  • Morning Sun & Afternoon Shade
  • Full Sun
Bloom Time
Late spring to early summer

Additional information

Planting Time
  • Spring / Summer
Soil Moisture
  • Waterwise
Water Tolerance
Low-Water
Soil Type
  • Compost Enriched Garden Loam Soil
Mature Height
28-32" tall
Mature Spread
15-18" wide
Growing Zones
  • Zone 3
  • Zone 4
  • Zone 5
  • Zone 6
  • Zone 7
  • Zone 8
Ideal Region
  • Anywhere In The US
  • Midwest
  • Northeast
  • Pacific Northwest
  • Southwest
  • West
Native To
North America
Awards
PPA Perennial Plant Of The Year
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