Beardtongue Penstemon 'Rich Ruby'
ABOUT
Penstemon 'Rich Ruby' is a striking perennial plant known for its vibrant flowers and lush foliage. The visual appeal of this plant lies in its luxurious deep red, tubular blossoms which are clustered together on upright stems, lending 'Rich Ruby' its jewel-like name. Each flower has a slightly two-lipped appearance and houses a pristine white throat, creating an elegant contrast that can catch any observer's attention. These blossoms are particularly alluring to hummingbirds, who are drawn to their bright color and rich nectar. The foliage of the 'Rich Ruby' consists of lance-shaped leaves that maintain a lush green color, providing a perfect backdrop that accentuates the red flowers. The leaves are arranged neatly along the stems, adding to the plant's overall structured and dense appearance. This dense foliage not only contributes to the plant’s ornamental value but also serves as a verdant groundcover when the plant is not in bloom. Overall, Penstemon 'Rich Ruby' is cherished in garden landscapes for its prominent floral display and its ability to provide a pop of color. Its robust and enduring nature, combined with the rich red hues of its flowers, makes it a favorite among garden enthusiasts looking to add a touch of elegance and vibrancy to their garden spaces.
About this plant
NamesSynonyms
Beardtongue, Rich Ruby Penstemon.
Common names
Penstemon 'Rich Ruby'
ToxicityTo humans
Beardtongue, commonly known as Penstemon 'Rich Ruby', is generally not considered toxic to humans. There are no well-documented cases of poisoning from consuming this plant. Consequently, if eaten, it is not expected to cause serious harm or any specific symptoms of poisoning.
To pets
Beardtongue (Penstemon 'Rich Ruby') is not considered highly toxic to pets. There is little to no evidence suggesting that ingestion of this plant will result in significant symptoms of poisoning in animals such as dogs or cats. Thus, consuming parts of this plant is not likely to cause any severe health consequences in pets. However, it is always advisable to prevent pets from ingesting plants as individual animals might have different sensitivities or allergic reactions.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Ruby
Height
2-3 feet (60-90 cm)
Spread
1-2 feet (30-60 cm)
Plant type
Herb
Hardiness zones
3-8
Native area
North America
Benefits
General Benefits- Attracts Pollinators: Provides nectar for bees, hummingbirds, and other beneficial insects.
- Drought Tolerant: Once established, it can survive with minimal watering, reducing the need for irrigation.
- Low Maintenance: Requires little care other than occasional deadheading to promote more blooms.
- Adds Color: Features vivid deep ruby-red flowers that add a splash of color to gardens.
- Long Blooming Period: Flowers from late spring to early fall, providing lasting visual interest.
- Versatile: Suitable for borders, rock gardens, and as a specimen plant or in mass plantings.
- Deer Resistant: Generally not appealing to deer, which can help protect your garden from browsing.
- Hardy Perennial: Comes back year after year in suitable climates, withstanding winter temperatures.
- Soil Adaptability: Tolerates a range of soil conditions, although it prefers well-drained soils.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Particle Stringing: The stems of Penstemon can be dried and strung together to create natural garlands or mobiles for decorative purposes.
- Fabric Dye: The flowers, when boiled, can be used to create a natural dye for fabrics, yielding shades of pink to ruby, depending on the mordant used.
- Educational Tool: Penstemon flowers can be used in educational settings to teach botany and the importance of pollinators through observation of bees that are attracted to the blooms.
- Ice Cubes: Adding small Penstemon flowers to water and freezing them can create aesthetically pleasing ice cubes for special events or cocktails.
- Photography Subject: With their vibrant color, Penstemon flowers are an excellent subject for botanical photography and macro imagery.
- Craft Supplies: Flower heads and leaves can be pressed and used in crafting unique bookmarkers, greeting cards, or framed botanical art.
- Garden Markers: Dried stems of Penstemon can be used as natural markers in a garden to identify different plantings.
- Ephemeral Tattoos: The juice from crushed Penstemon petals can be lightly dabbed on the skin to create temporary, natural-looking tattoos.
- Musical Instruments: Hollowed stems of Penstemon can be crafted into primitive wind instruments or whistles for an experimental approach to music.
- Culinary Garnish: While not commonly consumed, the flowers of Penstemon can be used as an edible garnish to add a splash of color to salads and desserts.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Beardtongue is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Beardtongue is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Attraction: The bright colors of the Beardtongue often symbolize an attraction to beauty and brightness, echoing the way these flowers attract hummingbirds and pollinators.
- Boldness: The 'Rich Ruby' variety, with its deep red hues, can represent a bold or daring choice, indicative of someone who chooses a path less traveled or shows courage.
- Communication: The Beardtongue gets its name because of its openness, which is often seen as a sign of free communication and the sharing of thoughts.
- Diversity: With numerous species in the Penstemon genus, the plant can represent diversity and variety, celebrating differences and uniqueness.
WaterBeardtongue, commonly known as 'Rich Ruby', prefers a consistent watering schedule. Typically, it should be watered deeply once a week, allowing the soil to dry out slightly between waterings. Aim to provide about one to one and a half gallons of water per plant during each watering session, depending on weather conditions. During hotter and drier periods, increase the frequency to twice a week, but always check the soil moisture first to prevent overwatering. Reduce watering in cooler months when the plant is not actively growing.
LightBeardtongue thrives in full sun conditions where it can receive at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight daily. The best spot for 'Rich Ruby' would be an area that is not shaded and gets plenty of sunshine throughout the day, ensuring vibrant blooms and healthy growth. Avoid deep shade areas which can lead to poor flowering and a leggy habit.
TemperatureBeardtongue is quite hardy and can tolerate a range of temperatures, but it performs best in areas where temperatures range from 60 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Generally, 'Rich Ruby' can survive minimum temperatures down to about 20 degrees Fahrenheit, but it should be protected from severe frosts. The ideal growing conditions are warm days and cooler nights.
PruningPruning Beardtongue is vital for encouraging bushy growth and more blooms. Deadhead spent flowers regularly to promote further blooming throughout the season. In late winter or early spring, cut back the entire plant by about a third to stimulate new growth and maintain a pleasing shape. This also helps to rejuvenate the plant and prepare it for the upcoming growing season.
CleaningAs needed
SoilBeardtongue 'Rich Ruby' thrives in well-draining soil with a pH ranging from slightly acidic to neutral (pH 5.8-7). A mix of loam, sand, and compost provides optimal conditions. Amend with organic matter to enhance soil structure and fertility.
RepottingBeardtongue 'Rich Ruby' should be repotted every 2-3 years to refresh the soil and accommodate root growth. It is less tolerant of being pot-bound compared to other perennials.
Humidity & MistingBeardtongue 'Rich Ruby' prefers moderate humidity levels but is adaptable to lower humidity conditions typical of most home environments.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place Beardtongue in bright indirect light with well-draining soil.
Outdoor
Ensure full sun, well-draining soil, and space plants 18 inches apart.
Hardiness zone
4-9 USDA.
Life cyclePenstemon 'Rich Ruby', also known as Beardtongue, initiates its life cycle as a seed, often requiring stratification—a period of cold treatment—to break dormancy before germination. Upon germination in late spring or early summer, the seedling develops a root system and foliage, gradually forming a rosette of leaves at the soil level. Throughout the first growing season, Beardtongue focuses energy on vegetative growth, establishing a strong root system and foliage to support future flowering. In its second year and subsequent years, the plant enters the flowering stage in late spring or early summer, producing tall spikes adorned with rich ruby-red tubular flowers that attract pollinators like bees and hummingbirds. After pollination, the flowers develop into seed capsules which, upon maturity, release seeds for propagation before the plant enters a period of dormancy in the fall and winter. Lastly, as a perennial, Beardtongue re-emerges from dormancy each spring, repeating its flowering cycle for several years before the plant eventually completes its life span.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring-Early Summer
The Penstemon 'Rich Ruby', commonly known as Beardtongue, is best propagated by taking softwood cuttings in late spring or early summer when the plant's growth is most vigorous. To propagate Beardtongue, cut a 3 to 6-inch (approximately 7.5 to 15 cm) length of stem from the current year's growth, ensuring that each cutting has at least a couple of leaf nodes. The lower leaves should be removed, and the cut end can be dipped in rooting hormone to increase the likelihood of successful rooting. The cutting should then be placed in a well-draining soil mix and kept moist, but not waterlogged, under bright, indirect light. Roots usually develop within a few weeks, after which the plant can gradually be acclimated to outdoor conditions.
