Penstemon calycosus - 1 litre pot
My absolute favourite tall species Penstemon! A wonderful, tough and hardy variety with low clumps of glossy dark green leaves (it is fairly closely related to Penstemon digitalis). From late spring and into summer it produces upright branched stems, tall and elegant and carrying panicles of gorgeous tubular-bells in shades of rich lavender with soft lilac tones, the extended lower lobes of each flower are almost white. The stems are a very dark beetroot red which makes a wonderful contrast to the flowers.
As the summer heat intensifies and the soils become drier the whole plant can turn the most stunning shades of deep bronzed-red.
A great plant for sun to a little light shade, with average to moisture-retentive soils. It can handle some drought once established. Flower stems rise to around 60-90cm tall, leaves will clump up 30-50cm over a few years. 1 litre pot.