Beardtongue Penstemon 'Pensham Skies' (Pensham Series)
ABOUT
Penstemon 'Pensham Skies' is a visually appealing perennial that exhibits a bushy and upright habit. Its foliage consists of glossy, lance-shaped leaves that create a lush backdrop for the prominent blooms. The leaves themselves are an attractive dark green color that remains vibrant throughout the growing season. The most striking feature of this plant is its flowers. Penstemon 'Pensham Skies' is adorned with bell-shaped blossoms that exhibit a dual color palette. The flowers' throat is typically a lighter color, often a soft white, which contrasts beautifully with the exterior, which showcases shades of a rich, deep purple to blue hue. The flowers are arranged in dense clusters along tall spikes that emerge above the foliage, adding an elegant and colorful display to the garden landscape. These tubular flowers are particularly attractive to pollinators such as bees and hummingbirds, which often visit them for their nectar. The blooms of the Penstemon 'Pensham Skies' are not only a magnet for wildlife but also make excellent cut flowers for arrangements due to their long-lasting nature and distinctive look. Overall, Penstemon 'Pensham Skies' is a striking plant that brings both color and life to a garden setting with its vibrant blooms and lush, dark green leaves, offering a display that is both captivating and beneficial to the ecosystem through its attraction of pollinating species.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Plantaginaceae
Synonyms
Beardtongue, Penstemon
Common names
Penstemon 'Pensham Skies' (Pensham Series)
ToxicityTo humans
The Penstemon, commonly referred to as beardtongue, is not typically considered toxic to humans. Ingesting parts of the beardtongue may lead to gastrointestinal discomfort in some individuals, but significant toxicity is uncommon.
To pets
The Penstemon, commonly referred to as beardtongue, is generally not considered toxic to pets. If a pet consumes parts of a beardtongue plant, it might experience mild gastrointestinal upset, but severe poisoning is not expected.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Mixed
Height
2-3 feet (60-90 cm)
Spread
2 feet (60 cm)
Plant type
Herb
Hardiness zones
5
Native area
North America
Benefits
General Benefits- Attracts pollinators: Penstemon 'Pensham Skies' is known for attracting bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects to the garden.
- Drought tolerance: Once established, this variety of Penstemon is quite drought-resistant, making it suitable for xeriscaping or low-water landscapes.
- Easy to grow: Penstemon 'Pensham Skies' is considered easy to cultivate and can thrive in a range of soil types, as long as they are well-drained.
- Long blooming season: It produces flowers from early summer to early fall, providing long-lasting color in the garden.
- Hardiness: It is hardy in many climates and can withstand cooler temperatures, which makes it a resilient choice for many gardens.
- Aesthetic appeal: The striking purple and blue flowers add a splash of color that can complement many garden designs and color schemes.
- Low maintenance: Requiring minimal care once established, Penstemon 'Pensham Skies' does not need a lot of fertilization or pruning.
- Non-invasive: Unlike some other garden plants, Penstemon 'Pensham Skies' does not typically spread aggressively, making it a responsible choice for the mindful gardener.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Photography and Art Subject: Penstemon, with its striking colors and elegant form, can serve as a beautiful subject for photographers and artists, capturing the beauty of gardens and natural scenes.
- Educational Tool: Horticulture and botany educators can use Penstemon to teach about plant anatomy, flower structures, and pollination mechanisms.
- Culinary Garnish: The flowers of Penstemon can be used as an ornamental edible garnish to add a splash of color to salads and desserts, although they are not widely known for this purpose.
- Livestock Forage: In some regions, Penstemon may be used as forage for livestock, though it is not a common feed source and should be used with care due to potential toxicity concerns.
- Dye Production: The pigments in Penstemon flowers can potentially be used to create natural dyes for fabrics, though this is not a typical use.
- Erosion Control: Penstemon plants can help in soil stabilization and erosion control on banks and slopes due to their root systems.
- Bee Pasture: Planting Penstemon in large numbers can create habitats and forage for bees, aiding in the conservation of these pollinators.
- Craft Supplies: Dried Penstemon flowers can be used in crafting, for creating floral arrangements, wreaths, and other decorative items.
- Perfumery: While not a common use, the scent of Penstemon flowers could potentially be captured and used in the creation of perfumes or scented products.
- Biological Indicator: Penstemon species can sometimes be used as biological indicators to monitor the health of an ecosystem or the presence of certain soil conditions.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Beardtongue is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Beardtongue is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Resilience: Penstemon is known for its hardy nature, able to cope with various climates and conditions, thus symbolizing an individual's capacity to endure and thrive in face of adversity.
- Diversity: With its variety of colors and forms within the Pensham Series, the Penstemon represents the beauty of diversity and the uniqueness of individuals.
- Grace: The elegant flower spikes of the 'Pensham Skies' Penstemon symbolize grace and sophistication, making it a plant that can represent a person's refined beauty and poise.
- Boldness: The vibrant colors of this Penstemon can denote a bold personality or a brave action, celebrating the courage to stand out and make a statement.
- Balance: As Penstemon flowers are neatly structured along the stem, they can symbolize the importance of balance in life, encouraging a harmonious approach to challenges.
- Healing: Some species of Penstemon are used in traditional medicine, thus this flower may carry symbolic meanings of healing and recovery.
WaterBeardtongue should be watered deeply once a week, ensuring the soil is moist but not waterlogged. During hot, dry spells, increase watering to twice per week, providing about 1 to 1.5 gallons per plant each time to saturate the root zone. In cooler or rainy periods, reduce watering to prevent over-saturation. Allow the top inch of soil to dry out between waterings to encourage strong root growth. Overwatering can lead to root rot, so be cautious not to let them sit in water.
LightBeardtongue thrives in full sun exposures, requiring at least six hours of direct sunlight daily to perform well. The best spot for this plant would be in an open area where it can receive unfiltered sunlight throughout the day. They can tolerate light shade, but flowering may be reduced and foliage can become leggy.
TemperatureBeardtongue prefers temperatures between 50 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit but can survive in temperatures as low as 20 degrees and as high as 90 degrees Fahrenheit. The ideal conditions include warm days and cooler nights within the preferred temperature range to promote healthy growth and blooming.
PruningPrune beardtongue to remove spent flower spikes and encourage a second bloom in the season, and again in late fall or early spring to shape the plant and remove any dead or damaged growth. Pruning is typically done annually; however, deadheading can be done throughout the flowering period. The best time for the main pruning is after the last hard frost in spring for rejuvenation or in late fall after flowering has finished.
CleaningAs needed
SoilThe Penstemon, commonly known as Beardtongue, thrives in well-draining soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH, typically between 6.0 and 7.0. The best soil mix for Beardtongue should consist of a blend of loam, sand, and compost to enhance drainage and fertility. Adding a layer of mulch can also help retain moisture while keeping roots cool.
Life cycleThe life of Penstemon 'Pensham Skies' begins with seed germination, which typically occurs in late winter or early spring when temperatures rise and daylight increases. Following germination, the seedlings grow into juvenile plants, developing a rosette of leaves close to the ground. As they mature, these perennials form sturdy stems and leaves, preparing for the flowering stage, which usually takes place in late spring to early summer. During the flowering stage, the plant produces tall spikes adorned with bell-shaped flowers in shades of blue or lavender, attracting pollinators such as bees and hummingbirds. After pollination, the flowers fade, and the plant sets seed in small capsules that, when mature, release seeds for the next generation. Post-flowering, the plant enters a period of dormancy in late autumn or winter, where it conserves energy for the next growing season.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring-Early Summer
Penstemon 'Pensham Skies', commonly known as beardtongue, is most effectively propagated by stem cuttings. The ideal time to take cuttings is in the late spring to early summer when the plant's growth is most vigorous. A healthy, non-flowering stem is cut at about 3-4 inches (approximately 7.5-10 centimeters) in length, just below a node. The lower leaves are removed, and the cut end may be dipped in a rooting hormone to encourage root development. The cutting is then placed in a well-draining soil mix, and kept moist but not waterlogged, with a high level of humidity maintained around the cutting if possible. Rooting usually occurs within a few weeks, after which the new plant can be gradually acclimated to less humid conditions before being transplanted into the garden.
