Beardtongue Penstemon 'Pensham Wedding Day' (Pensham Series)
ABOUT
Penstemon 'Pensham Wedding Day' is a perennial plant that is notable for its showy and attractive flowers. The blooms have a large, tubular shape and are most commonly pure white in color. The flowers are particularly striking as they stand out against the foliage. This plant's foliage consists of lush green leaves, which present a dense and bushy appearance. The leaves are lance-shaped with smooth or slightly serrated edges, adding to the plant's texture and visual interest. Each individual flower is comprised of a lower lip and an upper hood, which adds to the complexity and beauty of the plant's overall appearance. 'Pensham Wedding Day' flowers in abundance, creating a serene and elegant display that can add charm and sophistication to any garden space. It is often preferred by gardeners for its long flowering period and its stunning, pristine white blossoms that can serve as an excellent backdrop for other colorful plants or be a focal point on their own.
About this plant
NamesSynonyms
Beardtongue, Penstemon
Common names
Penstemon 'Pensham Wedding Day'
ToxicityTo humans
Penstemon, commonly known as Beardtongue, is not considered toxic to humans. There are no well-documented cases of poisoning from ingesting this plant. Therefore, no specific symptoms of poisoning are associated with its consumption. Nonetheless, it is generally advisable to avoid eating ornamental plants as they are not intended for human consumption and may cause unintended adverse effects such as gastrointestinal discomfort or allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.
To pets
Beardtongue is not known to be toxic to pets either. It is not listed among the plants commonly recognized as poisonous to dogs and cats. Thus, it is unlikely to cause any symptoms of poisoning in pets if ingested in small quantities. However, ingestion of large amounts of any non-food plant material can potentially lead to gastrointestinal upset in animals, so it's best to keep an eye on your pets and prevent them from consuming the plant excessively.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
White
Height
2-3 feet (60-90 cm)
Spread
1-2 feet (30-60 cm)
Plant type
Herb
Hardiness zones
5-9
Native area
North America
Benefits
General Benefits- Attracts Pollinators: Penstemon 'Pensham Wedding Day' attracts bees and butterflies, helping to pollinate nearby plants.
- Low Maintenance: This plant is easy to care for, requiring minimal watering and upkeep once established.
- Drought Tolerance: It is well-suited for xeriscaping or gardens in dry climates due to its ability to withstand periods of drought.
- Long Blooming Period: The flowers bloom over a long season, usually from late spring through to fall, providing extended visual interest.
- Aesthetic Appeal: With its tall spikes of white flowers, it adds elegance and height to gardens and borders.
- Versatility: Penstemon 'Pensham Wedding Day' is suitable for various garden styles, including cottage gardens, urban gardens, and more formal borders.
- Cold Hardy: It is capable of surviving and thriving in cooler temperatures, making it suitable for many climates.
- Fragrance: The blooms may impart a subtle scent, contributing to a sensory experience in the garden.
- Deer Resistance: This plant is typically resistant to deer, making it an excellent choice for areas where deer browsing is a problem.
- Soil Adaptability: It adapts well to a range of soil conditions, 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- As a natural dye: The flowers of the Penstemon may be used to create a natural dye for fabrics, offering hues ranging from soft pinks to purples, depending on the mordant used.
- Pressing and craft: Pressed Penstemon flowers can be used in scrapbooking, card making, or other paper crafts for their beautiful color and shape.
- Photography subject: Penstemon flowers, with their intricate shapes and colors, are excellent subjects for macro photography, contributing to art and education about plant diversity.
- Floral water: Flowers can be steeped in water to create a lightly scented floral water that might be used for cosmetic purposes or as a room freshener.
- Culinary decoration: While not commonly eaten, the flowers could be used as edible decorations on desserts and salads, always ensuring they haven't been treated with pesticides or harmful chemicals.
- Teaching tool: The plant can be used in educational settings to teach about pollination, as Penstemon flowers are known to attract bees and are designed to aid bee pollination.
- Garden design: Penstemon can be used in drought-resistant landscape designs, demonstrating how gardens can be lush and beautiful without requiring excessive water usage.
- Wildlife habitat: When planted in a garden, Penstemen can provide habitat and food for a variety of pollinators, contributing to biodiversity.
- Artistic inspiration: The plant's form and colors can inspire various forms of art, from watercolor paintings to textile designs, relying on its aesthetic appeal.
- Natural potpourri: Dried Penstemon flowers can be included in potpourri mixes to add color and a mild fragrance to a room.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Beardtongue is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Beardtongue is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Harmony: The 'Pensham Wedding Day' penstemon, as suggested by its name, is often associated with weddings, which are ceremonies that celebrate harmony and the union of two individuals.
- Endurance: Penstemons in general are known for their hardiness and ability to thrive in tough conditions, symbolizing the endurance and resilience required in a lasting marriage.
- Long-lasting bond: With its robust perennial nature, the 'Pensham Wedding Day' penstemon can signify a long-lasting relationship or bond, similar to the lasting beauty it brings to gardens year after year.
- Pure intentions: The pristine white blooms of this particular penstemon may represent the purity and clarity of intentions, often sought after in the foundational period of a marriage or partnership.
WaterBeardtongue, as it is commonly called, should be watered deeply once a week, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings. During hotter, drier periods, increase watering to every few days. It's best to avoid overhead watering to prevent leaf diseases; instead, water at the base of the plant. Use approximately 1 gallon of water per plant for each watering session, ensuring even soil moisture.
LightBeardtongue thrives in full sun conditions where it can receive at least 6 to 8 hours of sunlight per day. However, it can also tolerate partial shade, especially in hotter climates. Place the plant in an area where it's exposed to ample morning light with some afternoon shade to protect it from the intense late-day sun.
TemperatureBeardtongue prefers a temperature range between 60°F and 75°F for optimal growth. It can tolerate temperatures as low as 30°F and as high as 90°F, but extreme temperature fluctuations should be avoided. Provide some protection from severe heat by offering partial shade or mulching around the base.
PruningPrune beardtongue to remove spent flower spikes and encourage a second bloom. Deadheading during the summer can promote additional flowering. In late winter or early spring, cut back the entire plant to several inches above the ground to maintain shape and prepare it for new growth.
CleaningAs needed
SoilBeardtongue thrives in well-draining soil with a mix of loam, sand, and compost. Aim for a soil pH around 6.5 to 7.5. Mulching helps retain moisture and control temperature.
RepottingBeardtongue typically doesn't require frequent repotting. It should only be repotted when it outgrows its container or every 3-4 years to refresh the soil.
Humidity & MistingBeardtongue prefers moderate humidity conditions but is tolerant of both high and low humidity environments, making it versatile for various climates.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place in bright, indirect light; protect from hot drafts.
Outdoor
Full sun to part shade, shelter from strong winds.
Hardiness zone
4-9 USDA
Life cyclePenstemon 'Pensham Wedding Day' starts its life cycle as a seed, which, once sown and having received adequate warmth and moisture, germinates to produce small seedlings. As the seedlings mature, they develop a rosette of leaves at ground level, and over time, the plant forms a sturdy stem and a more extensive root system. The next growth stage is characterized by the development of tall flowering spikes, which bear the distinctive bell-shaped flowers that are the hallmark of the Penstemon genus during the spring and summer months. After the flowering period, the plant will set seeds if the flowers are pollinated, completing the reproductive stage of the life cycle. The plant can also spread vegetatively through basal cuttings or division, thereby skipping the seed stage and directly producing new shoots. Depending on the climate and conditions, the Penstemon 'Pensham Wedding Day' may act as a perennial, returning each year from overwintering rootstocks or as a semi-evergreen, retaining some foliage throughout the year in milder climates.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring to early summer
The Penstemon 'Pensham Wedding Day' is most commonly propagated through semi-ripe cuttings. This method is ideal during the late summer months. To take semi-ripe cuttings, one would find a healthy portion of the plant's current year's growth, ensuring that it has begun to harden but is not yet fully woody. A cutting of about 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 centimeters) should be snipped just below a leaf node, and the lower leaves are removed. The cut end can be dipped in rooting hormone then planted in a mixture of peat and perlite or in a well-draining potting mix. These cuttings should be kept in a warm, well-lit area but out of direct sunlight, and the soil should be kept moist until the cuttings have rooted, which typically takes a few weeks. Once the cuttings have established a strong root system, they can be transplanted into individual pots or directly into the garden.
