Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Beard Tongue

If you are looking for a hardy perennial, look for farther. Penstemon 'Husker Red' is hardy to zone 3 and self sows like there is no tomorrow (I'm in a microclimate at zone 4). It has woody stems and grows to about 2, maybe 3 feet. The leaves are a beautiful dark burgundy. It likes dry soil and does best in full sun. It will grow in rock walls, between the cracks of the sidewalk and out by the road. She is very much a fertile myrtle (pardon the crossover). In fact, if I would give you some if I could. Thanks West, for adopting some of her babies.

5 comments:

Leora said...

Lovely. At some point, I may plant some penstemon in my garden. I've seen it in garden books in other colors. This one is very subtle.

Deejbrown said...

It may grow everywhere but the babes you gifted me with last year are struggling with our thin mountain soil. I love them anyway.

Deejbrown said...

It may grow everywhere but the babes you gifted me with last year are struggling with our thin mountain soil. I love them anyway.

A New England Life said...

I have beardtongue in my garden too(very hardy) but mostly for the burgandy foliage. The flowers aren't that exciting but the Hummingbirds sure do like them!

Wendy said...

We have the purple variety out here. I don't know that I've ever seen white. Very pretty.