Penstemon 'Purple Passion' Penstemon 'Purple Passion'

Water

Beardtongue should be watered deeply once a week, allowing for about one to one and a half gallons of water for each plant, ensuring the moisture reaches the root zone. During hot or dry spells, you may need to water twice a week, keeping in mind that well-established plants are quite drought-tolerant. Overwatering can lead to root rot, so it's crucial to let the soil dry out between waterings. If you're unsure, check the soil a few inches deep; if it's dry, it's time to water. Reduce watering in the winter when the plant is dormant.

Light

Beardtongue thrives in full sun, receiving at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily. An ideal spot is in a south or west-facing location where the plant can bask in the sun's rays. Too little light can lead to leggy plants and reduced flowering, so make sure it gets plenty of sunshine.

Temperature

Beardtongue prefers temperatures in the range of 60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit but can handle extremes from just above freezing to about 85 degrees Fahrenheit. The plant is hardy and can survive brief periods below 32 degrees Fahrenheit, but prolonged cold or frost may damage the foliage. Ideal growing conditions include cool to moderate daytime temperatures and slightly cooler nights.

Pruning

Beardtongue benefits from pruning to encourage bushier growth and more flowers. Prune in late winter or early spring by cutting back dead stems and shaping the plant. Deadhead spent flowers during the blooming season to promote continuous flowering. Extensive pruning is not needed, but cutting back the plant by about one-third after the first bloom can encourage a second bloom period.

Cleaning

As needed

Soil

Beardtongue 'Purple Passion' thrives in well-draining, loamy soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH between 6.0 and 7.0. To create the best soil mix for this plant, combine two parts garden soil, one part sand, and one part compost to ensure proper drainage and fertility.

Repotting

Beardtongue 'Purple Passion' does not require frequent repotting and can be repotted every 2-3 years, or when it outgrows its current container, typically in early spring before new growth begins.

Humidity & Misting

Beardtongue 'Purple Passion' is tolerant of a wide range of humidity levels but does best in moderate humidity. It does not require high humidity environments and can thrive in the typical ambient humidity found outdoors.

Suitable locations

• Indoor

  Place Beardtongue in bright, indirect light; well-draining soil.

• Outdoor

  Full sun to partial shade, well-draining soil, protect from harsh winds.

• Hardiness zone

  3-8 USDA

Life cycle

The life of Penstemon 'Purple Passion', commonly known as beardtongue, begins with seed germination, which occurs in warm, well-drained soil typically in spring or autumn. Seedlings emerge and establish a rosette of leaves at the soil surface; they may spend their first growing season primarily in vegetative growth. As the plant matures, usually in the second year, it will produce upright stems with lance-shaped leaves, and eventually bloom with its characteristic bell-shaped purple flowers that attract pollinators. After flowering, usually from late spring to early summer, the plant sets seed, which are dispersed by wind or gravity. Penstemon 'Purple Passion' may enter a dormant phase in response to the cold temperatures of winter, with the foliage dying back and the plant conserving energy in its root system. With the return of favorable conditions in spring, the plant will break dormancy with new growth, completing its perennial cycle.

Propogation

• Propogation time

  Spring-Early Summer

• The most popular method for propagating Penstemon 'Purple Passion', commonly known as beardtongue, is through stem cuttings, typically performed in late spring to early summer. To propagate, healthy non-flowering stems are chosen. Cuttings about 4-6 inches (10-15 centimeters) long are snipped just below a leaf node. Leaves on the lower half of the cutting are removed and the cut end is dipped in rooting hormone to encourage root development. The prepared cutting is then placed in a well-draining potting mix, ensuring that the leaf nodes where leaves were removed are buried. The pot should be kept moist and placed in indirect sunlight until roots have established, which usually takes a few weeks. Once the cuttings have rooted, they can be transplanted to their final location.