PENSTEMON 'PHOENIX APPLEBLOSSOM'

I have developed a 'thing' (not quite an obsession) about Penstemons since I discovered that they grow so well, so healthily, in my garden.  At least, they look healthy and they did survive a relatively harsh winter 2014/15 unprotected except by their own lush foliage.  You know, the leaves remained healthy and bright green throughout the winter, come rain, snow, or freezing temperatures and I do not have any idea why or how when they are supposed to be, after all, somewhat tender.  My latest addition to my growing family of Penstemons is a rather pale one which I have been admiring for some time: Phoenix Appleblossom'.  It's lovely in a quiet sort of way and I like the way the little dark stamens show up in contrast against the pale throats of the flowers which are, by the way, attractive to pollinators as well as me.

Penstemon 'Phoenix Appleblossom'



The label says that Penstemon 'Phoenix Appleblossom' is a reliable and colourful perennial of compact habit with attractive rich-green, lance-shaped leaves.  Bell-shaped pale-pin, almost white flowers with deeper pink edges hang from strong spikes produced continually through the summer.  It is an ideal cottage garden plant for the front of beds, borders, and informal planting.  It is also good in patio pots.  It likes any good, well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade.  It achieves a flowering height of 60cm (2ft) x a foliae spread of 60cm (2ft).  Cut back faded flower stems and tidy foliage in early spring.  No support is needed.

 

My other penstemons, so far:

 

Penstemon 'Pensham Plum Jerkum'

Penstemon 'Purple Passion'

Penstemon barbatus praecox 'Pinacolada White'

Penstemon 'Rich Ruby'

Penstemon 'Raven'

Penstemon 'Heavenly Blue'

Penstemon 'Pensham Laura'

 

The label also says that it is good with purple heucheras (in pots and containers) and I just happen to grow the darkly delightful heuchera 'Liquorice' at the front of my garden south-facing border. 

 

Heuchera 'Liquorice'