Getting to know the Must Have Perennials®
The plants your garden would choose™
Today’s blog features Penstemon ‘Prairie Twilight’ (USPP#19893, EU PBR), which comes to Rozanne® and Friends from Dr. Dale Lindgren at the University of Nebraska.
‘Prairie Twilight’ was a 2010 “Top Performer” Perennial in the trial gardens at Colorado State University.
The genus name, Penstemon, is derived from the presence of five (Greek-pente) stamens in the flowers. The common name Beard (or Bearded) Tongue was given since the lower lip tubular flower have bristly, short hairs that extend into the throat of the tube.
‘Prairie Twilight’ has strong burgundy stems with dark green foliage that support an impressive display of tubular, white-tipped, lavender-pink flowers. It blooms late May to mid-June in North America, and into August in the UK. Spread 26 inches (66 cm). Expected height is 22 inches (56 cm).
For growers
- Typically plant 1 liner per 6 to 8-inch (1 gallon, 4 liters) pots
- Needs extra time to size up before overwintering. Plant in late summer to early fall and allow plants to bulk before vernalization. Overwinter outdoors or inside cold greenhouses. Allow plants to emerge and flower with naturally occurring spring temperatures. This method provides larger plants, more uniformity and more flowers.
- Alternatively, plant vernalized liners in March and April. Plants will not be as uniform, full or as floriferous as in bulked, overwintered crops.
- Standard media pH: 5.5 to 6.5; media EC: 1.5 to 3.0 mmhos/cm (saturated paste).
- No noteworthy pests or diseases.
- See our ‘Prairie Twilight’ technical guide for more information.
In the garden
- For middle and back garden borders. Also, great in larger containers.
- Bees and hummingbirds like it, deer avoid it, blooms long time.
- Being bred in Nebraska, it’s hardy USDA Hardiness Zone 4. In the UK, it is completely hardy.
- Grow in full sun.