Penstemon 'Midnight'
beard tongue
Tall, elegant flower spikes bring a dash of drama to summer borders, rising above neat clumps of deep green, lance-shaped foliage on striking dark stems. This semi-evergreen perennial forms a tidy upright mound that slips easily into mixed borders, cottage gardens, or wildlife-friendly planting schemes where a bit of vertical interest is welcome.
Through summer, the stems carry generous clusters of tubular, bell-shaped blooms in rich purple-blue tones, each flower marked with a pale throat heavily brushed with plum and violet. These nectar-rich blooms are irresistible to bees and other pollinators, keeping the garden buzzing for months.
Penstemon 'Midnight' also makes an excellent cut flower thanks to its strong stems and long-lasting blooms, while its relaxed, natural look fits beautifully into sunny borders with ornamental grasses, salvias, and other summer performers.
Through summer, the stems carry generous clusters of tubular, bell-shaped blooms in rich purple-blue tones, each flower marked with a pale throat heavily brushed with plum and violet. These nectar-rich blooms are irresistible to bees and other pollinators, keeping the garden buzzing for months.
Penstemon 'Midnight' also makes an excellent cut flower thanks to its strong stems and long-lasting blooms, while its relaxed, natural look fits beautifully into sunny borders with ornamental grasses, salvias, and other summer performers.
How to care for Penstemon Midnight:
Plant penstemons in well-drained soil in a sunny or lightly shaded position, incorporating compost or well-rotted manure to improve fertility. Water regularly until established, then reduce watering, as they prefer drier conditions once settled.
Deadhead faded blooms frequently to extend the flowering season. In autumn, leave the top growth in place to provide winter protection, then cut back in spring when new shoots emerge lower down the stems.
Apply a dry mulch, such as bark or composted straw, around the base in colder regions to insulate the roots from frost. Every few years, lift and divide congested clumps in spring to maintain vigour and encourage fresh growth.
Deadhead faded blooms frequently to extend the flowering season. In autumn, leave the top growth in place to provide winter protection, then cut back in spring when new shoots emerge lower down the stems.
Apply a dry mulch, such as bark or composted straw, around the base in colder regions to insulate the roots from frost. Every few years, lift and divide congested clumps in spring to maintain vigour and encourage fresh growth.
Flowering period:
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Eventual height:
0.7m
Eventual spread:
0.45m
Position:
Full sun / light shade
Rate of growth:
Average
Soil:
Moderately fertile, moist, well-drained soil
Hardiness:
Borderline hardy (will need protection in winter in colder areas)
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This perennial is semi-evergreen so it can lose some of its leaves in winter. In colder regions or more exposed gardens, it may lose them all, but then fresh new growth appears again in spring.
