Penstemon, Beard Tongue, Beardtongue, Pride of the Mountain 'Iron Maiden'

Penstemonbarbatus

Genus
Penstemon (PEN-stem-on)
Species
barbatus (bar-BAY-tus)
Synonym
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Foliage
Evergreen
Height
36-48 in. (90-120 cm)
Spacing
9-12 in. (22-30 cm)
12-15 in. (30-38 cm)
Hardiness
USDA Zone 4a: to -34.4 °C (-30 °F)
USDA Zone 4b: to -31.6 °C (-25 °F)
USDA Zone 5a: to -28.8 °C (-20 °F)
USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 °C (-15 °F)
USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F)
USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F)
USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F)
USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F)
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
Bloom Color
Scarlet (dark red)
Red-Orange
Bloom Time
Late Spring/Early Summer
Mid Summer
Late Summer/Early Fall
Other Details
Category
Perennials
Water Requirements
Drought-tolerant; suitable for xeriscaping
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Foliage Color
Where to Grow
Bloom Characteristics
This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds
Bloom Size
Other details
Soil pH requirements
Patent Information
Non-patented
Propagation Methods
By dividing the rootball
From seed; winter sow in vented containers, coldframe or unheated greenhouse
From seed; stratify if sowing indoors
Seed Collecting
Allow pods to dry on plant; break open to collect seeds
Properly cleaned, seed can be successfully stored
Regional

This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:

Denver, Colorado

Parker, Colorado

Cordele, Georgia

Woodstock, Georgia

Nampa, Idaho

Twin Falls, Idaho

Norristown, Pennsylvania

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Hermosa, South Dakota

Ogden, Utah

Santaquin, Utah

Vashon, Washington

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Gardener's Notes:

1
positive
1
neutral
0
negative
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C
Vashon, WA (Zone 8a) | August 2010 | positive

Started this last year from seed, it wintered over fine, and huge, impressive spikes of red flowers early summer. A keeper!

C
C
Lewisburg, PA (Zone 6b) | October 2009 | neutral

I hoped to grow this in my mid-Atlantic garden - inspired no doubt by several consecutive years of very hot dry summers. I planted some s...Read More

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