Beardtongue 'Garnet', Beard Tongue 'Garnet', Beardtongue 'Andenken an Friedrich Hahn', Penstemon 'Andenken an Friedrich Hahn', Penstemon 'Jupiter', Penstemon 'Garnet Red', Penstemon campanulatus 'Garnet', Penstemon 'Andenken en Friedrich Hahn'
One of the longest living Penstemon hybrids, award-winning Penstemon ‘Garnet’ or ‘Andenken an Friedrich Hahn’ is a bushy semi-evergreen perennial renowned for its rich, garnet-red flowers, presenting a dazzling show from early summer to autumn’s first frost. Its deep red, tubular blooms, set against lance-shaped, semi-evergreen leaves, are a beacon for hummingbirds and pollinators.
Native: This cultivar is not a native species but derived from parent species native to North America.
Plant Type and Habit: It’s a herbaceous perennial with a semi-evergreen habit in milder climates. It has a clump-forming habit that makes it suitable as a border plant.
Size: This Penstemon grows to 24-36 inches tall (60-90 cm) and 12-18 inches wide (30-45 cm), adding lovely vertical lines to the landscape.
Flowers: It boasts deep garnet-red, tubular flowers.
Bloom Time: Expect a spectacular show from early summer through fall.
Foliage: The flowers rise above the foliage mound of lance-shaped, deep green leaves.
Award: Recipient of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society.
Uses: This Penstemon is versatile, suitable for border plantings, container gardens, rock gardens, and as part of pollinator-friendly landscapes. Good as cut flowers, too!
Pollinators: Penstemon attracts various pollinators, especially bees and hummingbirds, drawn to the nectar-rich flowers.
Toxicity: Penstemons are not known to be toxic to humans or pets. However, it’s always prudent to prevent ingestion of any non-edible plants.
Deer and Rabbit: A bonus is its resistance to deer and rabbits, a characteristic attributed to the texture and taste of the foliage that these animals generally find unappealing.
Drought: Once established, this Penstemon shows good drought tolerance. While it prefers consistent moisture levels, it can endure short periods of dry conditions, a boon for gardeners in more arid climates.
Invasiveness: Penstemons are not known for being invasive.
Light: Full sun (at least 6 hours of direct sun per day). Tolerates light shade.
Soil: Well-drained soil is crucial. Penstemons prefer rocky or sandy lean soils rather than rich garden loam. Avoid overly moist, poorly drained soils.
Water: Water well until plants are established. Once established, Penstemons tolerate some drought. Allow the soil to dry out between waterings. Over-watering or wet soils can lead to root rot.
Fertilizer: Penstemon plants generally do not require heavy fertilization and can thrive in relatively lean soil conditions. However, providing them with a light application of an organic fertilizer in the fall can help boost their growth and flowering potential.
Pruning: Deadhead spent flowers to encourage continuous blooming. Cut back plants in late autumn or early spring to promote vigorous growth.
Mulching: Mulching Penstemon can help regulate ground temperature and suppress weed growth. Choose a mulch that does not hold water. Use organic materials like shredded bark, compost, or pine straw. Avoiding direct contact with the stems to prevent rot and pest issues.
Propagation: Propagate by softwood cuttings in early summer or semi-hardwood cuttings in midsummer. Propagate by division in spring.
Pests and Diseases: No serious pest or disease issues, but watch for slugs, snails, and nematodes. Fungal diseases can occur in overly wet conditions; ensure good air circulation and avoid overhead watering to prevent issues like powdery mildew, leaf spot, and root rot. Rust can cause small, rust-colored pustules on leaves and stems, leading to defoliation and stunted growth.
Hardiness |
7 - 10 |
---|---|
Heat Zones |
1 - 9 |
Climate Zones | 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 |
Plant Type | Perennials |
Plant Family | Plantaginaceae |
Genus | Penstemon |
Common names | Beardtongue, Penstemon |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Season of Interest | Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall |
Height | 2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm) |
Spread | 1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm) |
Spacing | 18" (50cm) |
Maintenance | Low |
Water Needs | Low |
Soil Type | Chalk, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Cut Flowers, Plant of Merit, Showy, Semi-Evergreen |
Tolerance | Drought, Deer, Salt, Rabbit, Dry Soil |
Attracts | Hummingbirds, Bees |
Garden Uses | Beds And Borders |
Garden Styles | Traditional Garden, Prairie and Meadow, Gravel and Rock Garden, Coastal Garden, Informal and Cottage |
Hardiness |
7 - 10 |
---|---|
Heat Zones |
1 - 9 |
Climate Zones | 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 |
Plant Type | Perennials |
Plant Family | Plantaginaceae |
Genus | Penstemon |
Common names | Beardtongue, Penstemon |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Season of Interest | Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall |
Height | 2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm) |
Spread | 1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm) |
Spacing | 18" (50cm) |
Maintenance | Low |
Water Needs | Low |
Soil Type | Chalk, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Cut Flowers, Plant of Merit, Showy, Semi-Evergreen |
Tolerance | Drought, Deer, Salt, Rabbit, Dry Soil |
Attracts | Hummingbirds, Bees |
Garden Uses | Beds And Borders |
Garden Styles | Traditional Garden, Prairie and Meadow, Gravel and Rock Garden, Coastal Garden, Informal and Cottage |
How many Penstemon ‘Garnet’ (Beardtongue) do I need for my garden?
Plant | Quantity | |
---|---|---|
Penstemon ‘Garnet’ (Beardtongue) | N/A | Buy Plants |
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Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.
Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.
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