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Penstemon superbus (Superb penstemon)
1 hour care
per year
per year
1.2m
Max height
Max height
1.2m
Max spread
Max spread
2-5 years
To maturity
To maturity
Plant details
Botanical name
Penstemon superbus
Other names
Superb penstemon, Superb breadtongue, Superb beard tongue
Genus
Penstemon Penstemon
Species
P. superbus - P. superbus is an upright, bushy, borderline hardy, semi-evergreen perennial with white-mealy, lance-shaped, stem-clasping, grey-green leaves and panicles of tubular- to bell-shaped, coral-red to deep pink flowers from spring to early summer.
Penstemon superbus is: Semi evergreen
Habit
Clump-forming, Bushy, Upright
Flower
Red, Dark-pink in Spring; Red, Dark-pink in Summer
Foliage
Grey-green in All seasons
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
Eelworms (leaf and bud) , Slugs , Snails Eelworms (leaf and bud) , Slugs , Snails
Downy mildew Downy mildew
General care
Pruning
Deadhead after flowers to maintain vigour. Cut back to base in late autumn or early winter.
Propagation methods
Division, Semi-hardwood cuttings, Softwood cuttings
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Where to grow
Penstemon superbus (Superb penstemon) will reach a height of 1.2m and a spread of 1.2m after 2-5 years.
Suggested uses
Wallside and trellises, Rock, Low Maintenance, Gravel, Drought Tolerant, Cottage/Informal, City, Beds and borders, Wildlife
Cultivation
Plant in well-drained, neutral to alkaline soil in full sun. Protect with a thick, dry mulch in winter in colder areas. Drought tolerant once established.
Soil type
Chalky, Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Well-drained
Soil pH
Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Full Sun
Aspect
South, East, West
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4), Tender in frost (H3)
Companion plants
We do not currently have companion plants added for this plant.
Botanical name
Penstemon superbus
Other names
Superb penstemon, Superb breadtongue, Superb beard tongue
Genus
Penstemon Penstemon
Species
P. superbus - P. superbus is an upright, bushy, borderline hardy, semi-evergreen perennial with white-mealy, lance-shaped, stem-clasping, grey-green leaves and panicles of tubular- to bell-shaped, coral-red to deep pink flowers from spring to early summer.
Native to
Mexico
Foliage
Semi evergreen
Habit
Clump-forming, Bushy, Upright
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Colour
Flower
Red, Dark-pink in Spring; Red, Dark-pink in Summer
Foliage
Grey-green in All seasons
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
Eelworms (leaf and bud) , Slugs , Snails
Specific diseases
General care
Pruning
Deadhead after flowers to maintain vigour. Cut back to base in late autumn or early winter.
Propagation methods
Division, Semi-hardwood cuttings, Softwood cuttings
Monthly care advice
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Where to grow
Penstemon superbus (Superb penstemon) will reach a height of 1.2m and a spread of 1.2m after 2-5 years.
Suggested uses
Wallside and trellises, Rock, Low Maintenance, Gravel, Drought Tolerant, Cottage/Informal, City, Beds and borders, Wildlife
Cultivation
Plant in well-drained, neutral to alkaline soil in full sun. Protect with a thick, dry mulch in winter in colder areas. Drought tolerant once established.
Soil type
Chalky, Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Well-drained
Soil pH
Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Full Sun
Aspect
South, East, West
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4), Tender in frost (H3)
USDA zones
Zone 10, Zone 9, Zone 8
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Chalky, Loamy, Sandy | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Well-drained | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Alkaline, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Full Sun | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | South, East, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Exposed, Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Hardy (H4), Tender in frost (H3) | Tell us... |
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