bearded penstemon

Bearded penstemon should be watered regularly to keep the soil moist but never soggy. In general, mounds of soil should be allowed to dry slightly between waterings. During the hot summer months, the plant should be watered more frequently, about once or twice a week. During cooler months, reduce watering to once every 1 to 2 weeks. Be sure to not over-water, as this could cause the plant’s roots to rot.

Bearded Penstemon, or Penstemon barbatus subsp. coccineus, grows best in full sun, meaning it needs at least 6-8 hours of sunlight per day. If given less than 6 hours of sunlight, the plant will stretch out and look leggy and unhealthy. If planted in an area with more shade, the flowering will be reduced, or the plant may fail to flower at all. Additionally, the plant can become susceptible to diseases such as mildew and rust when not given enough sunlight. For optimal growth and flowering, the Penstemon barbatus subsp. coccineus should be planted in an area that gets full sun during the hottest part of the day, typically between 10 am and 2 pm.

Bearded penstemon (Penstemon barbatus subsp. coccineus) should be pruned regularly to promote fresh new growth, maintain its shape and stimulate flowering. Pruning should take place in late winter or early spring, before the plant begins to actively grow. Prune back approximately 1-third of the stems to the base, then cut back additional stems, as needed, to maintain the overall shape of the plant. Removing spent flower stalks after the blooms fade will encourage more blooms. Also, trim away any dead, damaged or diseased stems and branches.