Penstemon barbatus ‘Coccineus’ (Beardtongue)

Penstemon barbatus ‘Coccineus’ (Beardtonge) is a clump-forming perennial with erect, loose spikes boasting brilliant scarlet, tubular flowers borne in profusion in the spring and again in the fall. They rise above the lush foliage of lance-shaped, medium-green leaves. 

• On display from late spring through mid-summer, this Penstemon grows vigorously to 2-4 ft. tall (60-120 cm) and 9-12 in. wide (22-30 cm) and adds lovely vertical lines to the landscape. 
• Provides a bold and striking impact in beds, borders, cottage gardens, rock gardens, or in prairie plantings. Ideal for naturalistic planting schemes. Good as cut flowers too!
• Best grown in full sun in fertile, dry to medium moisture, well-drained soils. Tolerates almost any soil including dry soil. Drought tolerant once established. Dislikes damp conditions and needs excellent drainage! Penstemons need very little water and barely any fertilizer. Fertilize lightly when planting and then never again. Over-fertilizing Penstemons leads to excessive dieback in the winter.
• Attracts scores of hummingbirds, butterflies, and other beneficial pollinators but is resistant to deer and rabbits.
• Generally disease and pest free. 
• Propagate by softwood cuttings in early summer or semi-hardwood cuttings in midsummer. Propagate by division in spring.
• Deadhead after flowering to maintain vigor. Then cut back to base in early spring