Beardtongue Penstemon 'Pensham The Dean's Damson' (Pensham Series)

Water

Beardtongues should be watered deeply once a week, providing about 1 inch of water which equates to roughly 0.6 gallons per square foot. During hot and dry conditions, increase the frequency to twice per week, ensuring the soil is moist but not waterlogged. In the fall, reduce watering to encourage hardiness before the winter. Overhead watering should be avoided to prevent disease; instead, use a soaker hose or drip irrigation at the base of the plant. Always check the top inch of soil for dryness before watering to prevent overwatering.

Light

Beardtongues thrive in full sun to partial shade, but they bloom best when they receive at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily. The ideal spot would be one where the morning sun drenches the plant, while providing some respite from the intense late afternoon heat. Partial shade conditions are suitable, especially in regions with very hot summers, but too much shade can lead to leggy plants and fewer blooms.

Temperature

Beardtongues prefer moderate temperatures and are hardy in a range from approximately 20°F to 90°F. They can survive brief periods of colder weather down to about 10°F but may suffer damage if temperatures drop lower. The ideal temperature range for growing healthy beardtongues is between 50°F and 85°F, avoiding the extremes of both heat and frost.

Pruning

Pruning beardtongues is important to keep them looking neat and to encourage more blooms. Deadhead spent flowers regularly throughout the blooming season to promote continuous flowering. In late winter or early spring, prune back the entire plant to about 4 to 6 inches to stimulate new growth and improve air circulation. After several frost-free years or if the plant looks woody, consider a more severe cutback.

Cleaning

As needed

Soil

Beardtongue 'Pensham The Dean's Damson' thrives in well-draining soil enriched with compost and other organic matter. The ideal soil pH for this plant is slightly acidic to neutral, ranging from 6.0 to 7.0. A mix of loam, sand, and organic compost can provide the right structure and nutrients.

Repotting

Beardtongue 'Pensham The Dean's Damson' does not require frequent repotting and can often be left in the same pot for several years. Repotting can be done every 2-3 years, or when the plant has outgrown its current container or the soil has become depleted.

Humidity & Misting

Beardtongue 'Pensham The Dean's Damson' is adaptable to a wide range of humidity levels and does not require high humidity. It fares well in average outdoor humidity conditions, without any special humidity adjustments being necessary.

Suitable locations

• Indoor

  Place in bright, indirect light and moderate temps.

• Outdoor

  Full sun to partial shade, sheltered from strong winds.

• Hardiness zone

  5-8 USDA

Life cycle

Penstemon 'Pensham The Dean's Damson', commonly known as Beardtongue, begins its life cycle as a seed that germinates in favorable conditions of warmth and moisture. The seedling emerges with its first set of true leaves and roots, starting to establish a small rosette. As it matures during its vegetative stage, it develops a more robust root system and larger foliage. When it reaches maturity, typically within a year, the Beardtongue produces tall flowering stalks adorned with bell-shaped flowers that attract pollinators like bees, hummingbirds, and butterflies in late spring to summer. After pollination, the flowers develop into seed capsules containing numerous small seeds, which are dispersed by wind, gravity, or animal activity to propagate the species. The plant is perennial and will enter a phase of dormancy during the colder months, only to resume growth and repeat its reproductive cycle once favorable conditions return in the spring.

Propogation

• Propogation time

  Spring-Early Summer

• Propogation: Penstemon 'Pensham The Dean's Damson', commonly known as Beardtongue, is often propagated through stem cuttings, primarily because this method helps to maintain the specific characteristics of the cultivar. The ideal time to take cuttings for propagation is late spring or early summer when the plant is actively growing. A healthy non-flowering stem should be selected, and a cutting around 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 cm) long is taken, just below a leaf node. The lower leaves are removed, and the cut end can be dipped in rooting hormone before being placed in a mixture of perlite and peat moss, or a similar well-draining propagation medium. The cuttings should be kept in a warm, bright location but out of direct sunlight, ensuring the medium stays moist but not waterlogged. Roots typically begin to develop within a few weeks, after which the new plants can be gradually acclimated and transplanted to their final location.