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Penstemon 'Rich Ruby'
beard tongue
Penstemon ‘Rich Ruby’ forms upright clumps of bright green, semi-evergreen foliage, from which wiry, purple-flushed stems rise to carry generous...
9cm pot
available to order from late spring
3 × 9cm pots
available to order from late spring
6 × 9cm pots
available to order from late spring
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Plant description
Penstemon ‘Rich Ruby’ forms upright clumps of bright green, semi-evergreen foliage, from which wiry, purple-flushed stems rise to carry generous clusters of deep red, bell-shaped blooms. The flowers sit proudly above the leaves, creating an airy yet colourful display that starts in mid-summer and often continues well into autumn, giving the garden a welcome splash of late-season colour.
Awarded the RHS Award of Garden Merit, this cultivated variety works brilliantly in sunny borders, mixed cottage-style planting and even large patio containers, where its long flowering season keeps things lively for months.
Easy to grow once established, it’s happy in most soils as long as drainage is good and will tolerate both dry spells and typical British weather. Pollinators
Awarded the RHS Award of Garden Merit, this cultivated variety works brilliantly in sunny borders, mixed cottage-style planting and even large patio containers, where its long flowering season keeps things lively for months.
Easy to grow once established, it’s happy in most soils as long as drainage is good and will tolerate both dry spells and typical British weather. Pollinators
Eventual height & spread
Flowering period
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Plant features
Position
Full sun / light shade
Rate of growth
Fast-growing
Soil
Moderately fertile, moist, well-drained soil
Hardiness
Fully hardy
How to care for Penstemon Rich Ruby:
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.
Please note:
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.
