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| Category: Perennial |
| Family: Scrophulariaceae (Figworts) |
| Origin: Mexico (North America) |
| Evergreen: Yes |
| Flower Color: Mixed |
| Bloomtime: Spring/Summer |
| Parentage: (Penstemon cobaea x P. hartwegii) |
| 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 'Peppermint Candy' (Beard Tongue) - A very attractive robust cultivar with large flowers that are white in the throat with strong pink tips to the petals. It is an evergreen perennial or sub-shrub to 3 feet tall with with 3 ½ " lance-shaped medium green leaves that lack any dentations on the margins. This plant was shipped to us from an overseas nursery as the cultivar 'Appleblossom' but differs from this plant in having larger foliage and flowers. To keep it separate we are calling this plant 'Peppermint Candy' because of its nice pink and white bicolored flowers. As with other Penstemon, the flowers will 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.
The information displayed on this page about Penstemon 'Peppermint Candy' is based on our research conducted about this plant from books in our nursery library as well as from information that is provided by reliable online resources. We also have included our own observations made about it as it grew in the nursery gardens and other gardens visited, as well how the crops of this plant performed in the containers when we had them in our nursery field. We also include comments received from others and welcome hearing from anyone who has information about this plant, particularly if it includes cultural information aiding others to better grow it.
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