Penstemon 'Pensham Tayberry Ice' (Pensham Series)
ABOUT
The Penstemon 'Pensham Tayberry Ice', which is part of the Pensham Series, is a perennial plant known for its distinctive and striking appearance. The foliage of this plant consists of lush, green leaves that provide a contrasting backdrop to its beautiful flowers. The leaves are lance-shaped with a smooth edge and grow densely along the stems, contributing to the plant's bushy look. The standout feature of the Penstemon 'Pensham Tayberry Ice' is its bell-shaped flowers. These blossoms exhibit a delightful color palette consisting of a creamy white base with vibrant purple-pink accents. The flowers are tubular and flare gently at the ends into five broad lobes. The throat of each flower often contains intricate veining or patterns that enhance the plant's overall appeal. These striking flowers are arranged on tall spikes that rise gracefully above the foliage, creating a spectacular display that can add visual interest to any garden setting. The blooming period of the Penstemon 'Pensham Tayberry Ice' typically stretches over the warmer months, offering an extended season of color to the landscape. The plant's aesthetic charm and the nectar-rich flowers also make it a magnet for pollinators such as bees and hummingbirds. Overall, the Penstemon 'Pensham Tayberry Ice' is admired for its floriferous nature and the elegant, colorful spikes that lend a vertical accent to garden beds and borders.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Plantaginaceae
Synonyms
Beard Tongue, Beardtongue
Common names
Penstemon 'Pensham Tayberry Ice'
ToxicityTo humans
The Penstemon, commonly known as beardtongue, is not widely known to be toxic to humans. There is generally little concern regarding the ingestion of this plant, and it is often considered safe to grow in gardens even where children or pets are present. While the Penstemon is not associated with serious toxicity, it is always advisable to prevent ingestion of any plant material by young children as a general safety precaution. Symptoms of plant poisoning can vary, but if the Penstemon were to cause any, they might include mild gastrointestinal discomfort. As with any exposure to plant material, if someone exhibits adverse reactions after ingesting Penstemon, they should seek medical attention.
To pets
The Penstemon, commonly referred to as beardtongue, is generally not considered toxic to pets. There are no significant reports or indications that this plant poses a risk to animals if ingested. Therefore, the Penstemon is often viewed as a pet-safe plant for home gardens. If a pet were to ingest a large amount of Penstemon, the most likely issue might be mild gastrointestinal upset, as is common with the consumption of non-food plants by animals. However, it is always best to prevent pets from eating plants where possible and to consult with a veterinarian if your pet has ingested plant material and is showing signs of illness.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Semi-deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Pink
Height
2-3 feet (60-90 cm)
Spread
1-2 feet (30-60 cm)
Plant type
Herb
Hardiness zones
7
Native area
North America
Benefits
General Benefits- Attractive Blooms: Features striking flowers that add visual interest to gardens and attract pollinators such as bees and hummingbirds.
- Drought Tolerance: Once established, it has a good tolerance to drought, reducing the need for frequent watering.
- Long Blooming Period: Offers a long season of blooms, typically from late spring to early fall, providing extended color in the landscape.
- Low Maintenance: Requires minimal upkeep beyond basic watering and occasional deadheading to encourage more blooms.
- Cold Hardy: Adapts well to cooler climates and can survive winter temperatures, making it suitable for a variety of garden zones.
- Deer Resistance: Generally resistant to deer, which can be beneficial in areas where deer browsing is a problem.
- Versatility: Suitable for a range of garden styles including borders, rock gardens, and as accent plants.
- Soil Adaptability: Can thrive in a variety of soil types, though it prefers well-draining soil.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Penstemon can be used in floral arrangements for a cottage garden aesthetic, providing height and a splash of color with its tall spikes of bell-shaped flowers.
- In art and photography, Penstemon flowers can be used as subjects for botanical illustration due to their vibrant colors and interesting flower structure.
- They can be used as natural indicators for garden health, as they attract pollinators such as bees and hummingbirds, indicating a thriving ecosystem.
- Penstemon can be used as a teaching tool in horticulture classes to demonstrate the cultivation and care of perennial plants in temperate climates.
- They may be utilized in landscape design to create color contrast when planted alongside plants with silver foliage or yellow flowers.
- Their long blooming period makes them suitable for use in sensory gardens where prolonged visual interest is beneficial.
- Penstemon can be used to stabilize soil in sloped gardens due to their root systems, which can help prevent erosion.
- They can serve as natural seasonal markers for gardeners, as their flowering time in late spring to early summer indicates the transition between seasons.
- Penstemon can be part of a butterfly garden, as the nectar in the flowers can attract and feed various species of butterflies.
- In eco-friendly gardens, Penstemon plants can be used as part of a water conservation strategy, as they are drought-tolerant once established.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Beardtongue is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Beardtongue is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Hardiness: Penstemon, also known as Beardtongue, is a symbol of hardiness and the ability to thrive in challenging environments, as the plant is known for its resilience and ability to grow in rocky and arid conditions.
- Healing: Historically, certain Penstemon species were used by Native Americans for medicinal purposes, which makes the plant also represent healing and therapeutic properties.
- Diversity: The variety within the Penstemon species, including 'Pensham Tayberry Ice', can symbolize diversity and adaptability, highlighting the plant's wide range of colors and ability to adapt to various habitats.
- Attraction: With its tubular flowers, Penstemons like 'Pensham Tayberry Ice' are known to attract hummingbirds and butterflies, symbolizing allure and the capacity to draw others in with one's charm and vibrancy.
- Balance: The plant's ability to balance its needs for sunlight and moisture, growing in both sunny and partially shaded areas, can represent the concept of balance in life.
WaterThe Beard Tongue should be watered deeply and infrequently to encourage a strong root system, with gravel or sand to improve drainage. During the growing season, water the plant when the top inch of soil feels dry, which could be once a week, depending on the climate. Always avoid overhead watering to prevent disease. Providing roughly 1 inch of water per week is usually sufficient. In hotter, dryer periods, increase the frequency but allow soil to dry between waterings. Reduce watering in the winter when the plant is dormant.
LightBeard Tongue thrives in full sun, requiring at least six hours of direct sunlight daily. Plant it in a location where it will receive morning light and some protection from the intense late afternoon sun in hot climates. Avoid heavily shaded areas to promote healthy growth and flowering.
TemperatureBeard Tongue plants prefer moderate temperatures and can tolerate a range from just below freezing, around 30 degrees Fahrenheit, to about 85 degrees Fahrenheit. They thrive best when the daytime temperatures are between 60 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. They can survive short periods of colder temperatures, but prolonged exposure to temperatures below freezing can be damaging.
PruningBeard Tongue should be pruned to remove spent flower spikes after blooming to encourage a second flush of flowers. Cut back the plant by about one-third in late fall or early spring to promote bushy growth and prevent it from becoming leggy. Pruning is typically done annually or after the main flowering period.
CleaningAs needed
SoilBeardtongue (Penstemon) 'Pensham Tayberry Ice' thrives in well-drained, loamy soil enriched with organic matter. A mixture of two parts loam, one part sand, and one part compost or peat will ensure proper drainage and fertility. The ideal soil pH for this Penstemon should be slightly acidic to neutral, ranging from 6.0 to 7.0.
RepottingBeardtongue 'Pensham Tayberry Ice' should be repotted every 2-3 years to refresh the soil and accommodate root growth. Repotting is best done in the spring when the plant shows signs of becoming root-bound or the soil appears depleted.
Humidity & MistingBeardtongue 'Pensham Tayberry Ice' prefers moderate humidity levels, typical of outdoor garden conditions. It is fairly adaptable and does not require special humidity considerations, making it suitable for average garden environments.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place in bright, indirect light; water when top soil feels dry.
Outdoor
Full to partial sun, well-draining soil, and moderate watering.
Hardiness zone
5-9 USDA
Life cycleThe Penstemon 'Pensham Tayberry Ice' starts its life as a seed, which, once sown, will germinate in a warm environment with adequate moisture. As the seedling emerges and grows, it develops true leaves and establishes a root system. The plant then enters a vegetative growth phase where it focuses on leaf and stem development, preparing for flowering. Upon reaching maturity, the Penstemon produces tall spikes of bell-shaped flowers, typically from late spring to early fall, attracting pollinators such as bees and hummingbirds. After pollination, the flowers give way to small capsules that contain seeds, completing the reproductive stage. As a perennial, it then either dies back in the winter to re-emerge from its root system in spring, or in milder climates, it may retain its foliage as it enters a period of dormancy before resuming growth in the next growing season.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring-Early Summer
Penstemon 'Pensham Tayberry Ice', commonly referred to as Beardtongue, is best propagated by cuttings, a method which allows gardeners to reproduce faithful copies of this particular hybrid. The optimal time to take cuttings for propagation is in late spring or early summer when the plant's growth is most vigorous. To propagate by cuttings, select healthy, non-flowering stems and cut a length of 3 to 5 inches (approximately 7.5 to 12.5 centimeters). Remove the lower leaves and dip the cut end in a rooting hormone to encourage root development. Plant the cutting in a well-draining soil mix, providing consistent moisture and warmth. Roots typically develop within a few weeks, after which the new plants can be transplanted into individual pots or garden beds to continue growing.
