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Red Rocks® Penstemon

Penstemon x mexicali 'P008S'

$7.99
$7.99 $9.99
per Plant - 5" Deep Pot
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ZONES  4-8 | Good to grow! Zone
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• Penstemon x mexicali Red Rocks® (Beardtongue) is a superb native hybrid that blooms most of the summer with large rose-pink flowers
• The plants are vigorous and have attractive glossy green foliage
• Drought resistant/drought tolerant plant (xeric)
• A 1999 Plant Select® winner

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Description

This lovely hybrid Penstemon was developed by Bruce Meters, 'Red Rocks' is named after Denver's famous amphitheater which was carved out of the spectacular red sandstone cliffs in the foothills west of the city. This hybrid has glossy, narrow foliage and tall spikes of stunning rose-pink and white flowers. This is a vigorous grower that performs best in moderately fertile, but well-drained soils. Though xeric, Penstemon Red Rocks will flower most vigorously with regular watering. Cut back just above ground-level in mid-spring. Deadhead to extend blooming. 1999 Plant Select Winner 18" tall x 15" wide (cutting propagated).

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 (801) 769-0300 or contact us by email or chat.

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Key Features

Light Requirements

  • Full Sun

Bloom Time

Late spring to summer

Advantages

  • Bee Friendly
  • Attracts Hummingbirds
  • Attracts Birds
  • Native
  • Long Bloom Time
  • Easy To Grow
  • Cut Flowers
  • Container Planting
  • Rock Gardens
  • Rabbit Resistant

Additional information

Mature Height

18" tall

Mature Spread

15" wide

Soil Type

  • Low Fertility Soil
  • Well-Drained Soil

Soil Moisture

  • Waterwise

Planting Time

  • Fall

Awards

Plant Select®

Growing Zones

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

Ships As

Potted Plant

Can Send To PO Box

No

Ships to Hawaii & Alaska

No

Overall rating: 4.857143 / 5 from 14 reviews.

AI Generated Review Summary

Summary topics

Review topics: ["water","plant","flowers","penstemon","bees"].

Review highlights

Reviews

"Love them!"

— Dee (5/5)

Nice size

"Healthy and nice size plant!"

— Ann (5/5)

The perfect garden supplier for my microclimate

"I'm in the process of making a pollinator garden. It has been a challenge because when I purchased local plants, they struggled because we live 1500 feet above the valley where they are grown. Since I lived in Colorado and and knew altitude matters, I decided to buy from High Country Gardens. My plants are thriving! I put this plant in a container, so that I could help it survive. I think I will be able to replant them in my actual garden next year. I'm delighted 😁."

— Pacalee (5/5)

Pretty blooms over a long period

"This plant is completely carefree and started blooming in April and hasn't stopped almost 4 months later."

— Sandy (5/5)

One of the best !

"This is a wonderful plant ! I received it in early May and planted it in a 3. 5 gallon white bucket (with drainage holes) using Miracle-Grow potting mix. It grew quickly here at 6000 feet in the hot 95 F days, and with daily water, began blooming in six weeks. Beautiful pink, relative large flowers, loved by bees and hummingbirds. This plant is perhaps the best Penstemon that I have ever grown (or seen). Highly recommended !"

— Dr D. (5/5)

Good Company

"This was a replacement for a plant (not the same one) that didn't make it through the winter (we had an exceptionally cold stretch. ). HCG has been great about replacing what doesn't make it, and though this plant is not blooming yet, it will as it's healthy and happy."

— Km (5/5)

Great plant in sunny Southwest

"I use this plant in my perennial garden in a sunny location. It does get drip watered and does very well in Albuquerque"

— SWSusie (5/5)

yes, very healthy and doing well

"Very attractive to the pollinators. They have great color and are hardy."

— Cinger (4/5)

Everything went so smoothly. This will be my only shop.

"Have been working on my garden for the last 12 years. High country gardens, has been my favorite garden store the whole time. Thank you!"

— Meg (5/5)

Hardy plant, can't wait till it blooms.

"A great addition to our Hummingbird garden."

— Mike C. (5/5)

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