Penstemon 'Pensham Freshwater Pearl' Penstemon 'Pensham Freshwater Pearl' (Pensham Series)

Water

Beardtongues, like the Penstemon 'Pensham Freshwater Pearl', prefer to be watered thoroughly but allowed to dry out between waterings. Water the plant deeply once a week, providing about 1 gallon of water per plant each time, ensuring moisture reaches the root zone. During the hotter, drier months, you may need to water twice a week, while in cooler or rainy periods, reduce the frequency. Overwatering or allowing the plant to sit in wet soil can lead to root rot, so ensure proper drainage. Adjust the watering schedule based on the plant's environment and signs of stress.

Light

Beardtongues thrive in full sun to partial shade. Choose a spot where the Penstemon 'Pensham Freshwater Pearl' will receive at least six hours of sunlight daily. Morning sun with afternoon shade is ideal in regions with very hot summers, but in cooler climates, a full day of sun encourages better blooms.

Temperature

Beardtongues prefer moderate to warm temperatures, with the Penstemon 'Pensham Freshwater Pearl' thriving best between 60 to 75°F. They can survive in temperatures as low as 20°F, but prolonged exposure can damage the plant. They do not tolerate extreme heat very well either, and temperatures consistently above 90°F may cause stress.

Pruning

Prune Beardtongues in late winter or early spring to promote vigorous growth and abundant flowering. Remove dead or damaged stems of Penstemon 'Pensham Freshwater Pearl' and cut back approximately a third of the plant to shape it and encourage new growth. Deadhead spent flowers throughout the season to prolong blooming.

Cleaning

As needed

Soil

Beardtongue prefers well-draining soil with a pH between 6.0 and 8.0. A mix of loam, sand, and compost is ideal, ensuring that the soil is fertile but not overly rich which could promote foliage over flower growth.

Repotting

Repot Beardtongue every 2-3 years or when you observe root crowding. Spring is the best time to repot to give the plant time to establish before winter.

Humidity & Misting

Beardtongue thrives in average humidity levels but does well in drier conditions, which mimic its native, semi-arid habitats.

Suitable locations

• Indoor

  Place Beardtongue in bright light, avoid soggy soil.

• Outdoor

  Full sun, well-drained soil, protect from extreme cold.

• Hardiness zone

  4-9 USDA

Life cycle

Penstemon 'Pensham Freshwater Pearl', commonly known as beardtongue, begins its life as a seed, which upon germinating in the spring, develops into a small seedling. As the seedling grows, it forms a rosette of leaves at ground level and starts to establish a strong root system. With adequate sunlight, water, and nutrients, the beardtongue then enters a vegetative state where it focuses energy on producing more foliage and reaching maturity. During early to mid-summer, it transitions into the flowering stage, producing a show of tubular flowers that are attractive to pollinators such as bees and hummingbirds. After pollination, the flowers give way to seed capsules which eventually dry and release seeds, completing the reproductive cycle. Beardtongue is a perennial plant, so after the flowering season, it will enter a period of dormancy during the winter, conserving energy to regrow the following spring.

Propogation

• Propogation time

  Spring-Early Summer

• Penstemon 'Pensham Freshwater Pearl', commonly referred to as beardtongue, is often propagated through stem cuttings. The ideal time for taking stem cuttings for propagation is late spring to early summer when the plant is actively growing. For propagation, a gardener should select a healthy non-flowering stem and cut a length of approximately 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 cm) just below a node. The lower leaves are removed, and the base of the cutting is dipped in rooting hormone to encourage root development. This cutting is then inserted into a pot filled with a well-draining potting mix, ensuring that the node where the leaves were removed is buried beneath the soil. The pot should be placed in a warm, bright location out of direct sunlight and kept consistently moist. Roots typically establish within a few weeks, after which the new plant can gradually be acclimated to outdoor conditions before being transplanted to its final location in the garden.