PENSTEMON 'PHOENIX VIOLET'

Yesterday at the RHS garden centre in Harlow Carr I found this lovely Penstemon hiding at the back of some others on display. It seemed to be the only one left and I'm so glad I found it.  What a beauty it is.  I love it and so do the pollinators.   When I was wheeling the plant in my trolley at the garden centre, little honey bees were following me and the plant around.  It's a wonder I didn't bring them home with me in the car! 

Penstemon 'Phoenix Violet'

I've yet to plant it in my garden.  Some bad weather is forecast so I thought I would tuck it away, in a sheltered place somewhere, until the worst of it has past.  I don't want heavy rain to hammer the flowers off just as soon as I have bought it.  I'm hoping the rest of, or at least most of, the flowers in my garden will survive. 

 

The labels says that Penstemon 'Phoenix Violet' has masses of larger, tubular flowers in repeated flushes throughout summer and autumn every year.  Phoenix penstemons have been bred for improved performance in hot weather and they are quite compact too.  They are fabulous in cottage-garden style borders.  They are hardy and perennial in all but the very coldest parts of the UK. 

 

They achieve a height and spread of 50cm (20"), and like a sunny position in fertile, well-drained soil. 

 

Water well before planting and let the plant drain.  Prepare the planting area and enrich with planting compost and general fertiliser.   Carefully remove pot and plant in the prepared hole (same depth as pot).  Gently firm the soil around the plant and water in well.  Water regularly in dry spells. 

 

Remove faded flowering stems to encourage further blooming.  Cut back all shoots to about 10cm (4") and top dress with compost and general fertiliser every spring.