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| Category: Perennial |
| Family: Scrophulariaceae (Figworts) |
| Origin: North America |
| Evergreen: Yes |
| Flower Color: Burgundy |
| Bloomtime: Spring/Fall |
| Height: 2-3 feet |
| Width: 2-3 feet |
| Exposure: Sun or Shade |
| Deer Tolerant: Yes |
| Irrigation (H2O Info): Medium Water Needs |
| Winter Hardiness: <15° F |
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Penstemon 'Burgundy Brew' (Beard Tongue) - This durable cultivar is known for its longevity in the garden and having unusually colored flowers that are larger than other Penstemon hybrids. It is an evergreen perennial or sub-shrub to 4 feet tall with dark stems heavily clothed with narrow lanceolata dark green leaves. The large trumpet-shaped dark burgundy-colored flowers having lighter colored throats are held in dense branched terminal inflorescences (cyme) that appear in a succession of flowering peaks from late spring until fall and often appear year-round in coastal gardens. The flowers, at 1 ½ inches long by 1 ¾ inches wide on the lower lip are the largest of the hybrids. The dark burgundy flower is darkest at the petal tips with a pale lavender to white throat striated with magenta and green calyces with red margins. The flowers attract hummingbirds and butterflies into the garden. Plant in full sun along the coast and provide some light shade inland. Tolerates and even thrives in poor soils and alkaline conditions but requires relatively good drainage. Can survive very dry conditions in cooler coastal gardens but looks better with occasional irrigation and requires it in hotter locations. Pinch plants after the first bloom to promote a quick re-bloom and cut back hard in winter to encourage a new flush of dense growth in spring. While extremely showy, Border Penstemons are notably short lived and for plantings to look best, they should be replanted every 3-5 years. Hardy to below 15° F and even much lower if soil is not moist. The Bedding or Border Penstemons are now considered to have a complex parentage involving Penstemon cobaea, P. hartwegii, P. campanulata, P. gentianoides and P. isophyllus. We sold this plant from 1994 until 2007.
This information about Penstemon 'Burgundy Brew' displayed is based on research conducted in our horticultural library and from reliable online resources. We also will relate observations made about it as it grows in our nursery gardens and other gardens we have visited, as well how the crops have performed in containers in our nursery field. We will also incorporate comments that we receive from others and we welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they can share any cultural information that would aid others in growing it.
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