Penstemon 'Pensham Blueberry Ice' Penstemon 'Pensham Blueberry Ice' (Pensham Series)

Water

Beacon Bell Penstemon should be watered deeply once a week during the growing season, allowing the soil to dry out slightly between waterings. It's important to avoid overwatering, as this plant prefers well-drained soil. During hot, dry spells, increase watering to twice per week, providing about one gallon per plant per watering session. Reduce watering in the fall and winter when the plant is dormant, giving enough to prevent the soil from drying out completely, which might amount to a gallon every couple of weeks depending on the climate.

Light

Beacon Bell Penstemon thrives in full sun to partial shade. It's best placed in a location where it can receive at least six hours of sunlight daily, although some afternoon shade is beneficial in areas with hot summers. Avoid deep shade, as this can lead to leggy growth and fewer flowers.

Temperature

Beacon Bell Penstemon is hardy and can tolerate temperatures as low as 10 degrees Fahrenheit, making it suitable for growing in United States Department of Agriculture zones 7 to 9. The ideal growing temperatures range from 60 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. This plant can also withstand high temperatures but may require additional watering in extreme heat.

Pruning

Prune the Beacon Bell Penstemon to tidy up the plant and encourage bushier growth and more flowers. Cut back the foliage by up to one-third in late winter or early spring before new growth begins. Deadhead spent blooms regularly throughout the growing season to promote continuous flowering. Pruning is also a good opportunity to remove any damaged or diseased stems to maintain the plant's health.

Cleaning

As needed

Soil

Beardtongue 'Pensham Blueberry Ice' thrives in well-drained soil that is moderately fertile, with a mix of two parts loam, one part sand or perlite, and one part compost or well-rotted manure. The ideal soil pH for growing Beardtongue 'Pensham Blueberry Ice' is slightly acidic to neutral, ranging from pH 6.0 to 7.0.

Repotting

Beardtongue 'Pensham Blueberry Ice' generally does not need to be repotted frequently. Repotting is typically done every 2-3 years or when the plant has outgrown its current container and the roots are visibly cramped.

Humidity & Misting

Beardtongue 'Pensham Blueberry Ice' is tolerant of a range of humidity levels but prefers moderate humidity. It does not require the high humidity levels that some tropical plants do, making it adaptable to the typical outdoor humidity levels in most temperate regions.

Suitable locations

• Indoor

  Place in bright, indirect light and ensure well-drained soil.

• Outdoor

  Full sun to partial shade, well-drained soil, protect from harsh winds.

• Hardiness zone

  7-9 USDA

Life cycle

Penstemon 'Pensham Blueberry Ice' begins its lifecycle as a seed, which when sown in well-draining soil and given the proper conditions—warmth and moisture—germinates to produce a tiny seedling. As the seedling grows, it develops a root system and foliage in a rosette formation, entering the vegetative stage where it focuses on growth and photosynthesis. It reaches maturity in its first or second year, at which point it produces tall flower spikes adorned with bell-shaped flowers usually in mid to late summer, signaling the reproductive stage. After pollination by insects attracted to its flowers, it sets seed within capsule-like structures. As the growing season ends, the plant may die back somewhat, especially in colder climates, entering a period of dormancy during colder months. For perennial Penstemons, the cycle repeats with the plant emerging again in spring, while annual varieties would complete their life cycle with seed set and not regrow the following year.

Propogation

• Propogation time

  Early Spring

• The most popular method to propagate Penstemon 'Pensham Blueberry Ice' is through stem cuttings. In early to mid-summer, select a healthy, non-flowering shoot and cut a 3 to 4-inch (7.5 to 10 centimeters) section just below a node. Remove the lower leaves and dip the cutting in rooting hormone to facilitate root development. Place the cutting in a well-draining soil mix, ensuring that a few nodes where the leaves were removed are buried. Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged, and place the pot in a warm location with indirect light. Roots usually develop within a few weeks, after which the new Penstemon can be transplanted to a larger pot or directly in the garden.