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HALF PINT® Pineleaf Penstemon

Penstemon pinifolius 'Compactum'

$12.79
$12.79 $15.99
per Plant - 5" Deep Pot
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ZONES  4-9 | Good to grow! Zone
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• ‘Compactum’ is hands down one of the very best native wildflowers for waterwise gardens
• This tiny shrub has a profusion of bright scarlet flowers in late spring and tidy, tight growing branches of evergreen pine needle-like leaves
• Perfect for borders or accenting larger perennials
• Drought resistant/drought tolerant plant (xeric)
• 2022 Plant Select® selection

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Description

10" tall x 12" wide (cutting/seed propagated). This little scarlet wonder is a delightful dwarf version of the larger, more familiar Pineleaf Penstemon. The tiny evergreen needle-like leaves and short wiry stems form a tidy shrublet that seems to catch fire when the intense scarlet flowers smother the plant in late spring. Compact Pineleaf Penstemon blooms many weeks before the larger orange-flowered Pineleaf Penstemon.

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

Water Tolerance

Low-Water

Bloom Time

Late spring to early summer

Advantages

  • Bee Friendly
  • Attracts Butterflies
  • Attracts Hummingbirds
  • Attracts Birds
  • Native
  • Evergreen
  • Easy To Grow
  • Container Planting
  • Small Spaces
  • Rock Gardens
  • Rabbit Resistant

Additional information

Mature Height

10" tall

Mature Spread

12" wide

Soil Type

  • Average Soil
  • Sandy Soil

Soil Moisture

  • Waterwise

Planting Time

  • Fall

Awards

Plant Select®

Special Groups

  • High Country Gardens Introduction

Native To

North America

Growing Zones

  • Zone 4
  • Zone 5
  • Zone 6
  • Zone 7
  • Zone 8
  • Zone 9

Neonicotinoid Free

Yes
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Overall rating: 4.6363635 / 5 from 11 reviews.

AI Generated Review Summary

Summary topics

Review topics: ["plant","blooms","buy"].

Review highlights

Reviews

I would buy this product again.

"I planted them in my front and back yard. So far they seem to be thriving, even the ones the deer decapitated. I have horrible soil, but hopefully they will survive the winter."

— Petina (5/5)

It suffered at first, but appears to be rallying

"This was a freebie thrown in as part of another order; I didn't select this plant on purpose. It looked OK when I unboxed and planted it. It suffered a bit at first and I thought it was going to die (but it was a giveaway, so I wasn't concerned). However, it's rallying now and looking better."

— Judy (4/5)

Works well in location

"Color; dependability"

— Pbj (4/5)

Yes, I am very happy with plants and delivery.

"Border"

— Mel (5/5)

I would buy this product again!

"Adds color to the garden and is hardy."

— Jo J. (5/5)

Healthy plants.

"This plant will be a welcome part of my patio garden. Healthy plants. Growing well."

— JJ (5/5)

It bloomed its first season!

"The plant arrived green and healthy. I planted it on the west end in a rock garden boarder near my house. I gave it some space from my other cacti and sages I had growing there and it started to grow almost immediately. It even bloomed in late summer. We had an unusual amount of rain this year, so I think that helped things along. I can't wait to see what it does next season!"

— Alice (5/5)

I would buy this product again

"This penstemon has done well in my yard for three years now and was planted in amended clay soil. This is a Spring and early Summer favorite of the hummingbirds."

— Kathy (5/5)

Compact and long lasting blooms.

"Reliable, non fussy plant at the front of my border in full sun, zone 4. Long lasting blooms, pairs well with a purple or blue like a catmint or sage. I planted this and have never touched it or watered it. It just does its thing."

— Josh (5/5)

Arrived alive, died soon after planting

"No idea what it's good for, since it didn't survive a week after planting. If someone from High Country Gardens is reading this---you have to change your shipping schedule. If you ship on Monday or Tuesday, the plants arrive by Friday according to routing information on the shipper site, but then sits in a warehouse or truck until Tuesday when it is finally delivered, most likely dead or nearly so. If you mail on Friday, I'll bet I get it on Tuesday yet, but it's not been in shipping for 8 days. Might have a chance then. I've had several plants from High Country, and only one survives (the Blue Hill)."

— Scott (3/5)

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