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| Category: Perennial |
| Family: Scrophulariaceae (Figworts) |
| Origin: North America |
| Flower Color: Blue Violet |
| Bloomtime: Spring/Fall |
| Synonyms: [P. 'Russian River'] |
| Height: 2-3 feet |
| Width: 4-5 feet |
| Exposure: Sun or Shade |
| Deer Tolerant: Yes |
| Irrigation (H2O Info): Medium Water Needs |
| Winter Hardiness: <15° F |
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Penstemon 'Midnight' (Beard Tongue) - We have grown this durable and attractive bedding Penstemon for nearly 20 years and it still remains one of our most favorite. From the large dark-colored flowers and healthy deep green foliage this long-lived cultivar is sure to please. It is an evergreen perennial or sub-shrub to 3 feet tall with purple-tinged stems heavily clothed with 4 inch long lance-shaped dark green leaves with slight dentations towards the tips. The large trumpet-shaped bluish-purple flowers are 1 1/8 inch long by 1 inch wide with a lavender throat striped in purple (lacks the white common in other cultivars) and purple-tinged dark green calyces. The flowers, up to 7 in a cluster are held on dark-stemmed dense branched terminal inflorescences (cyme). The flowers appear in a succession of flowering peaks from late spring until fall and often appear year-round in coastal gardens. 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. Hands down our best seller. The origins of this plant are unknown and there is some speculation that it is the same as 'Russian River'.
The information displayed on this page about Penstemon 'Midnight' is based on the research we have conducted about it in our nursery library as well as from information provided by reliable online resources. We also include our own observations made about this plant as it grows in the nursery gardens and other gardens visited, as well how the crops of this plant have performed in the containers in our nursery field. We will also incorporate comments that we have received from others and welcome hearing from anyone with information about this plant, particularly if it includes cultural information that will aid others to better grow it.
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