Description
Penstemon digitalis ‘Husker’s Red’ is a member of the Penstemon genus. Known for their extended flowering season and often strong scent they are an easy plant to add a bit of colour to your borders. They share some similarities to Foxgloves with beautiful bell shaped flowers however these are borne on more delicate stems and flower later in the year. Their original range was restricted to North America, they can now be found in temperate gardens across the world.
Key Facts
- Common Name(s):Penstemon ‘Husker Red’
- Hardiness:Fully Hardy through most of the UK
- How big will I get? Penstemon digitalis ‘Husker’s Red’ can grow to a height of 0.8m and a spread of 0.5m.
- Did You Know That:Penstemon are sometimes called beardtongues due to the shape of their flowers?
Plant Calendar
A rough guide to how this plant will change through the year.
Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | June | July | Aug | Sept | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
Flowering Time | ||||||||||||
Foliage Colour |
J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
Care Guide
Soil Requirements
Penstemon digitalis ‘Husker’s Red’ prefers soil with good drainage and does not tolerate standing water. This plant can grow in soil with a wide range of pH levels, it is not picky about the pH level of the soil.
Best Position
Penstemon digitalis ‘Husker’s Red’ can handle either an exposed or a sheltered position and requires full sun to thrive, this consists of more than six hours of direct sunshine per day.
Maintenance
Penstemon digitalis ‘Husker’s Red’ will benefit from deadheading after it finishes flowering will prolong its flowering period by redirecting energy from seed production to flower production.
Pest, Diseases and Wildlife
Penstemon digitalis ‘Husker’s Red’ can have problems with slugs, snails and aphids, it can be vulnerable to certain diseases such as grey mould, powdery mildew and leaf spot. It is also known to attract bees. It is not considered to be toxic.