Penstemon 'Sour Grapes' Penstemon 'Sour Grapes' M. Fish
ABOUT
'Sour Grapes' is an erect perennial to 60cm in height, with lance-shaped leaves and dense panicles of tubular, two-lipped flowers blending purple and blue shades, whitish within the throat
About this plant
NamesFamily
Plantaginaceae
Synonyms
Beardtongue, Sour Grapes Penstemon
Common names
Penstemon 'Sour Grapes' M. Fish.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Semi-evergreen
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Purple
Height
2-3 feet (0.6-0.9 meters)
Spread
1-2 feet (0.3-0.6 meters)
Plant type
Herb
Hardiness zones
7
Native area
North America
Benefits
General Benefits- Attracts Pollinators: Penstemon 'Sour Grapes', also known as Beardtongue, is known to attract bees, hummingbirds, and butterflies, which help pollinate other plants in the garden.
- Drought Tolerant: Once established, it is quite drought-tolerant, making it suitable for water-wise gardens or xeriscaping.
- Easy Maintenance: Beardtongue requires minimal care once well-situated, requiring only occasional watering and deadheading to encourage more blooms.
- Long Blooming Period: This plant produces flowers over a long period, often from late spring to early fall, providing extended visual interest.
- Colorful Flowers: The plant is appreciated for its grapelike, bluish-purple flowers which add a unique and vibrant color to the garden.
- Herbaceous Perennial: As a perennial, it comes back year after year, reducing the need for annual replanting.
- Flexible Planting Options: It is versatile and can be used in borders, rock gardens, wildflower meadows, or as a focal point in a variety of garden designs.
- Non-Invasive: Unlike some other garden plants, Beardtongue tends to stay where planted and is not considered invasive.
- Deer Resistant: The plant is generally not preferred by deer, providing an attractive option for gardens in areas with deer pressure.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Art and Craft: The striking color of Penstemon flowers can be used for natural dyeing of fabrics or paper, providing a unique, natural hue to the materials.
- Edible Decorations: The flowers of the Penstemon 'Sour Grapes' can be used as edible decorations on cakes and desserts, adding a touch of elegance to culinary creations.
- Garden Design: Penstemons can be used in xeriscaping, a landscaping method that reduces or eliminates the need for supplemental water from irrigation, highlighting their drought-tolerant properties.
- Wildlife Habitat: Penstemon plants can provide a valuable habitat and food source for local wildlife such as hummingbirds and beneficial insects, encouraging biodiversity in gardens.
- Photography: The unique and vivid colors of Penstemon 'Sour Grapes' make it an excellent subject for botanical photography and garden portfolios.
- Landscape Theme: Use Penstemon 'Sour Grapes' to create a wine-themed garden, where all plants have a connection to wine in their name or appearance, creating a whimsical horticultural collection.
- Fragrance Source: Some Penstemons, including the 'Sour Grapes' variety, may have a subtle fragrance that can be enjoyed in the garden or when used in indoor floral arrangements.
- Educational Tool: Penstemon 'Sour Grapes' can be used in educational settings (like schools or botanical gardens) to teach about pollination and the importance of preserving native plant species.
- Insect Deterrent: Certain Penstemons have been said to deter insects and can be planted as companion plants to help protect other more vulnerable plants in the garden.
- Winter Interest: Although not evergreen, the dried seed heads of Penstemon 'Sour Grapes' can add texture and interest to winter gardens, especially when dusted with frost or snow.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Beardtongue is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Beardtongue is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Enticement: The 'Sour Grapes' Penstemon has a lush, rich allure to it, drawing in pollinators, much like its ability to entice and captivate human admirers.
- Elegance: With its graceful flowering spikes and bell-shaped flowers, the 'Sour Grapes' Penstemon is often associated with sophistication and elegant beauty.
- Diversity: Originating from the large Penstemon family, which has a wide variety of species, this plant represents diversity and adaptability.
- Resilience: Penstemons, including 'Sour Grapes', are known for their hardiness and ability to thrive in challenging environments, symbolizing strength and resilience.
- Communication: The trumpet-like shape of the flowers may represent openness and the flow of communication, as if to encourage reaching out and connecting with others.
WaterBeardtongue should be watered deeply once a week, ensuring that the soil is moist but not soggy. During hot or dry spells, water may need to be increased to twice weekly. Each watering session should provide enough water to soak the first few inches of soil. While establishing new plants, they may require more frequent watering until their root systems develop. Generally, providing about one to two gallons of water per plant each week is sufficient, but always adjust based on weather conditions and soil moisture levels.
LightBeardtongue thrives in full sun to partial shade. The ideal location for this plant is a spot that receives at least six hours of direct sunlight daily. It can tolerate some light afternoon shade, especially in hotter climates, but too much shade can lead to leggy growth and fewer flowers.
TemperatureBeardtongue prefers a temperature range between 50°F and 85°F. It can withstand minimum temperatures down to about 20°F, making it suitable for cooler climates. However, prolonged exposure to temperatures below the freezing point can be detrimental. The ideal temperature range promotes healthy growth and abundant flowering throughout the growing season.
PruningBeardtongue should be pruned to remove spent flower spikes and encourage a second bloom. Pruning also helps maintain a tidy appearance and promotes air circulation. The best time for pruning is late winter or early spring before new growth begins. Pruning can be performed again after the first flush of flowers has faded, typically in mid to late summer.
CleaningAs needed
SoilBeardtongue 'Sour Grapes' prefers a well-draining soil mix with a pH range of 6.0 to 7.0. A mixture of loam, compost, and coarse sand or perlite would provide an ideal growing medium for this penstemon cultivar. It's crucial to ensure good drainage to prevent root rot.
RepottingPenstemon, commonly known as 'Sour Grapes', should be repotted every 1-2 years. The best time to repot is in the spring just as new growth begins. As a perennial, it may also be divided during repotting to encourage more vigorous growth.
Humidity & MistingBeardtongue 'Sour Grapes' enjoys moderate humidity but is quite adaptable. Maintaining humidity levels between 40-50% is generally suitable, although it is tolerant of lower humidity levels that are typical in most home environments.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Ensure bright light, well-draining soil, and infrequent watering.
Outdoor
Plant in sun, use well-draining soil, water moderately.
Hardiness zone
6-9 USDA
Life cycleThe common name for Penstemon 'Sour Grapes' M. Fish is Sour Grapes Penstemon. The life cycle begins with germination, which occurs when the plant’s small, dark seeds are sowed in well-draining soil and provided with enough warmth and moisture. After germination, seedlings emerge and go through a vegetative stage, where they develop a rosette of leaves and establish a strong root system. As the plant matures, it enters the flowering stage, typically in late spring or early summer, producing tall spikes adorned with tubular, purple-blue flowers that attract pollinators like bees and hummingbirds. After pollination, these flowers will develop into seed capsules, and once the seeds mature, they can be dispersed by wind or wildlife, completing the reproductive cycle. Finally, the plant may enter a period of dormancy during colder months, only to revitalize and regrow the following spring if the plant is perennial in nature.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring-Early Summer
Propogation: Penstemon 'Sour Grapes', also known as Beardtongue, is a herbaceous perennial that is commonly propagated through stem cuttings. This method is popular because it is relatively simple and results in a plant that is genetically identical to the parent. The best time to take cuttings for propagation is in late spring or early summer, when the plant is actively growing and the stems are not yet woody. A gardener would choose a healthy stem with new growth, cut a piece about 4-6 inches (approximately 10-15 centimeters) long, and remove the lower leaves. The cut end is then dipped in rooting hormone powder to encourage root growth and planted in a moist soilless potting mix. The cutting should be kept in a warm environment with indirect light and consistent moisture until roots have developed, which typically takes a few weeks. Once the cutting has established a robust root system, it can be transplanted to a more permanent location in the garden.
