Species beardtongue Guide
clusters of small, tubular, purple-white flowers with shiny blackish-brown sepals and stems

beardtongue

Penstemon 'Dark Towers'

Cycle:

Herbaceous Perennial

Watering:

Minimum

Propagation:

Cutting,Division,Seed Propagation,Layering Propagation,Grafting Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

3 - 8

Flowers:

Pale pink Flowers

Sun:

Full sun

Leaf:

Yes

Growth Rate:

High

Maintenance:

Moderate

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Beardtongue (Penstemon 'Dark Towers') should be watered deeply about once a week or every 7-10 days. Allow the top inch of soil to dry out between watering and then water it slowly and thoroughly until the water begins to come out of the drainage holes in the bottom of the pot. Be sure that the pot is in a pot with drainage holes so that any excess moisture can drain away and not create an overly wet and soggy soil. Reduce watering frequency in the winter when growth is minimal.

sunlight

Beardtongue (Penstemon 'Dark Towers') should receive 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight each day during the growing season. The full sun exposure is preferred, but indirect light is better than no light. They can tolerate partial shade but a lack of light can cause the plant to become weak and stunted. During the winter months, when they are dormant, they should still receive a few hours of sunlight a day. It is important to make sure the plant receives adequate sunlight for optimal growth and flowering.

pruning

Penstemon 'Dark Towers' should be pruned in late winter to early spring, before new growth begins. Start by removing all dead and damaged branches. Then, using sterile, sharp pruning shears, remove any particular branches that have become overly tall, leggy, or out of proportion with the other branches. Also remove any crossing or tightly packed branches. To encourage a bushier and denser growing habit, lightly prune the stems back to about half of their original length. Avoid pruning more than 1-third of the whole plant in any single pruning. This type of pruning should be done annually to maintain the attractive shape of this plant.