Penstemon

New Zealand’s Best Penstemon Plants

Adding colourful perennials to your garden delivers a vast range of benefits:

• They are visual plants that add impact to a space
• They attract birds and bees
• Street appeal can be greatly enhanced
• Children can learn the plants and become more involved with nature
• These plants will bring you pleasure for many years to come

We have the largest variety of Beard Tongue plants and the right one for your space. These have been selected to thrive in NZ’s climate. We grow and stock only the highest quality plants, sourcing them locally, and from NZ’s leading nurseries. Each plant is packed and transported with extreme care, ensuring it arrives to you in the same condition it was in when it left the nursery. If you are wanting to buy Penstemons, shop with confidence from the best in the industry.

Common questions about growing Penstemons

1. What is the easiest penstemon to grow?

There are many easy-to-grow penstemons, but here are a few of the most popular and reliable varieties:

• Penstemon strictus: This penstemon is a tough and adaptable plant that can tolerate a wide range of conditions. It has attractive purple-blue flowers that bloom from spring to autumn.
• Penstemon digitalis: This penstemon is known for its tall, showy spikes of pink or white flowers. It is a good choice for borders and containers.
• Penstemon hartwegii: This penstemon has bright red flowers that bloom from spring to autumn. It is a good choice for attracting birds.
• Penstemon heterophyllus: This penstemon has blue-purple flowers that bloom from spring to autumn. It is a good choice for borders and containers.
• Penstemon barbatus: This penstemon has red, white, or pink flowers that bloom from spring to autumn. It is a good choice for borders and containers.

These penstemons are all easy to grow and care for. They are tolerant of drought and heat, and they can thrive in a variety of soils. All they need is a sunny spot and well-drained soil.

2. Where do penstemons grow best?

Penstemons are a diverse group of flowering plants that native to North America, Mexico, and South America. They are found in a variety of habitats, including meadows, forests, mountains, and deserts. In general, penstemons prefer well-drained, sandy or gravelly soil with full sun to part shade. They are also tolerant of drought and heat.

Penstemons can be found in a variety of habitats, including:

• Meadows: Penstemons are a common sight in meadows, where they thrive in the full sun and well-drained soil.
• Forests: Penstemons can also be found in forests, where they prefer the dappled shade of the trees.
• Mountains: Some penstemons are adapted to mountain habitats, where they can tolerate cold temperatures and short growing seasons.
• Deserts: A few penstemons are even found in deserts, where they are exceptionally drought-tolerant.

3. What growing conditions do Penstemons prefer?

• Soil: Penstemons prefer well-drained, sandy or gravelly soil. They do not tolerate heavy clay soils, which can hold too much moisture and cause the roots to rot.
• Sunlight: Penstemons need full sun to part shade to thrive. They will not flower well in full shade.
• Water: Penstemons are tolerant of drought, but they will need regular watering during hot, dry weather.
• Temperature: Penstemons can tolerate a wide range of temperatures, from below freezing to above 35 degrees Celcius.

With proper care, penstemons will reward you with beautiful blooms for many years to come.

4. Is penstemon the same as foxglove?

No, penstemon is not the same as foxglove. They are both flowering plants with tubular blooms that attract pollinators, but they belong to different genera within the same family. Here's a brief overview of their key distinctions:

Penstemon

• Genus: Penstemon
• Species: Over 250 species
• Flower shape: Tubular, with a two-lipped corolla
• Leaves: Opposite, simple, and often lanceolate
• Distribution: North America, Mexico, South America
• Toxicity: Non-toxic

Foxglove

• Genus: Digitalis
• Species: About 20 species
• Flower shape: Bell-shaped, with a five-lobed corolla
• Leaves: Alternate, simple, and often cordate
• Distribution: Europe, Asia, North Africa
• Toxicity: Some species are highly toxic

While they share some similarities in appearance and pollination preferences, penstemon and foxglove are distinct genera with notable differences in their flower structure, leaf arrangement, geographic distribution, and toxicity levels.

5. What is foxglove often mistaken for?

Foxglove is often mistaken for other plants due to its similar appearance, particularly its tubular flowers and hairy leaves. Here are some common plants that are mistaken for foxglove:

1. Borage: Borage (Borago officinalis) is a culinary herb with blue or purple flowers that resemble foxglove blooms. However, borage leaves are rough and bristly, while foxglove leaves are soft and velvety.
2. Comfrey: Comfrey (Symphytum officinale) is a medicinal plant with blue or purple flowers that also resemble foxglove. However, comfrey leaves are lanceolate and have a distinct veined pattern, while foxglove leaves are ovate and have a less pronounced venation.
3. Lords and Ladies: Lords and Ladies (Arum maculatum) is a poisonous plant with spathe-like flowers that can be mistaken for foxglove blooms. However, Lords and Ladies leaves are arrowhead-shaped and have a glossy surface, while foxglove leaves are ovate and have a velvety texture.
4. Lungwort: Lungwort (Pulmonaria officinalis) is a flowering plant with purple or pink spots on its leaves, which can resemble foxglove's spotted leaves. However, lungwort leaves are more rounded and have a distinct veined pattern, while foxglove leaves are ovate and have a less pronounced venation.
5. Dead Man's Fingers: Dead Man's Fingers (Oenanthe crocata) is a highly poisonous plant with roots and stems that resemble parsnips, and its leaves can also be mistaken for foxglove's. However, Dead Man's Fingers leaves have a distinct parsley-like aroma, while foxglove leaves have a mild, earthy scent.

It's crucial to carefully examine the leaves and flowers of any suspected foxglove plant to avoid misidentification. If you're unsure, it's best to err on the side of caution and avoid touching or consuming the plant.