Penstemons

Penstemons are late-summer flowering and are ideal for boosting colour in the borders late in the season. They usually continue to flower until late autumn.

There are many varieties available and all are bright and colourful and liven up a late-summer border. They thrive in a sunny spot in well-drained soil.

It used to be thought that Penstemons were tender and needed protection from frost, but actually they are one of the most valuable late summer-flowering perennials and, in all but the very coldest regions, are hardy, reliable and pest free. To prevent plants from failing to make it through winter, don’t cut faded stems back hard until spring.