Penstemon

This genus includes approximately 250 herbaceous semi-shrubby perennial plant species, most often grown as annuals. The leaves are oval and bright green. The flowers are large, bright in color, with petals fused into a tube, irregular-with a double bend, collected in brushes or panicles. For stony gardens, resistant species are best suited, for example: Alpine Penstemon (Penstemon alpinus), which originated from the Rocky Mountains, 30 cm high, with spring blooming blue flowers with a white yawn; newberry penstemon (P. newberry) 30 cm high, groundcover, creeping, pink or purple-pink flowers; naked penstemon (P. glaber), the shape of its basal leaves is lanceolate - oval, and located on peduncle-linear; Penstemon Scouleri (P. scouleri) - a semi - flowering species 30 cm high, with mauve-pink or mauve-blue flowers of summer flowering. The following types are recommended for use in curbs. Penstemon bearded (P. barbatus) grows up to 1 m in height, flowers-pink or red-appear in summer. Penstemon cordifolius (P. cordifolius) grows up to 50 cm, scarlet dicotyledonous flowers bloom in summer. Penstemon hartwegii (P. hartwegii) grows up to 60-80 cm in height; drooping tubular flowers are painted in intense red and crimson colors and are collected in spikes. Numerous hybrids derived from it belong to the species Penstemon cobaea (P. cobaea). They are large (up to 5 cm long) red, purple or crimson the flowers bloom in the spring and bloom throughout the summer. Also popular are 'Hidcot Pink’,' Zurich Blue 'and' Stapleford Treasure'.

This genus includes approximately 250 herbaceous semi-shrubby perennial plant species, most often grown as annuals. The leaves are oval and bright green. The flowers are large, bright in color, with petals fused into a tube, irregular-with a double bend, collected in brushes or panicles.

For stony gardens, resistant species are best suited, for example: Alpine Penstemon (Penstemon alpinus), which originated from the Rocky Mountains, 30 cm high, with spring blooming blue flowers with a white yawn; newberry penstemon (P. newberry) 30 cm high, groundcover, creeping, pink or purple-pink flowers; naked penstemon (P. glaber), the shape of its basal leaves is lanceolate - oval, and located on peduncle-linear; Penstemon Scouleri (P. scouleri) - a semi - flowering species 30 cm high, with mauve-pink or mauve-blue flowers of summer flowering.

The following types are recommended for use in curbs. Penstemon bearded (P. barbatus) grows up to 1 m in height, flowers-pink or red-appear in summer. Penstemon cordifolius (P. cordifolius) grows up to 50 cm, scarlet dicotyledonous flowers bloom in summer. Penstemon hartwegii (P. hartwegii) grows up to 60-80 cm in height; drooping tubular flowers are painted in intense red and crimson colors and are collected in spikes. Numerous hybrids derived from it belong to the species Penstemon cobaea (P. cobaea). They are large (up to 5 cm long) red, purple or crimson the flowers bloom in the spring and bloom throughout the summer. Also popular are 'Hidcot Pink’,' Zurich Blue 'and' Stapleford Treasure'.

Cultivation

Penstemon species are widely used for cutting, in stony gardens; those originating from the temperate climate zone are suitable for borders and mixborders. They can also be grown in pots or boxes, providing protection during cold winters. Less resistant species and hybrids are planted only in spring. More hardy ones can be planted on the site even in autumn. In a sheltered place, you can often grow them as perennials. For all types and hybrids, it is recommended to use medium-sized humus-rich loamy soils. For planting in pots or boxes, prepare a soil mixture of turf (50%), dead foliage (25%) and peat (25%), filled with a full mineral fertilizer of prolonged action at the rate of 30 g per bucket of water.

Penstemon species are widely used for cutting, in stony gardens; those originating from the temperate climate zone are suitable for borders and mixborders. They can also be grown in pots or boxes, providing protection during cold winters. Less resistant species and hybrids are planted only in spring. More hardy ones can be planted on the site even in autumn. In a sheltered place, you can often grow them as perennials.

For all types and hybrids, it is recommended to use medium-sized humus-rich loamy soils. For planting in pots or boxes, prepare a soil mixture of turf (50%), dead foliage (25%) and peat (25%), filled with a full mineral fertilizer of prolonged action at the rate of 30 g per bucket of water.

Location

Light-loving, prefers open sun; relatively drought-resistant.

Temperature

In winter, when frost threatens, most hybrids and species need to be covered. Mother plants for cuttings are stored in a cool room in winter.

Watering

In hot and dry periods, the plant is regularly watered, but at the same time making sure that water does not stagnate in the soil.

Transplant

Plants are transplanted in March.

Reproduction

Hybrids are propagated vegetatively in spring by cuttings that are taken from side shoots. Use a mixture of turf, peat and sand or peat and sand in equal proportions; maintain high humidity. Seeds are sown in March in a greenhouse, seedlings dive, planted in the open ground after frost.

Diseases

Leaf spots may appear due to various fungi of the genera Ascochita, Cercospora, Phylosticta and Septoria. Affected leaves are removed. Fungi of the genus Puccinia, although rare, but significantly affect plants with rust. Aphids are treated with appropriate insecticides. The attack of caterpillars and beetles happens less often, they are disposed of with the help of chemicals.

Acquisition

The seedlings of penstemon hybrids obtained by cuttings are immediately planted in a permanent place. Plants are often sold in gardening centers and nurseries in the fall and spring.