most penstemon are short lived perennials even where zone hardy; it is so easy to keep them going when you allow some seed to ripen and s...Read Morecratch it in beside the parent. they do rebloom well if deadheaded. i grow on western slope, mix pebbles and moisture plus polymers just under roots, it reduces watering that 1st yr,and they can't drown. i use moisture polymers under all my plants now, and operate as a drought garden except for new plants. don't put mulch close to stems of penstemon--rot., or overwater. drainage essential. be sure to check for zone hardiness. in the case of penstemon,figure 1 zone further N than the chart reads.i love all the varieties of pen., husker red the least, it is a bit boring, but all U of Neb varieties very long lived and reliable.
I'm a penstemon fan, even though they are short-lived. I have had pretty good luck with Husker Red if I divide and replant about every o...Read Morether year. I just planted Rondo Mix last year, and it is flowering nicely right now. I got a good mix of pastel colors, and it's very pretty. Hopefully I can keep these going with a similar strategy.
Here in the Sierra Foothills, these started out well and bloomed nicely. After 4 years only one of twelve is left, so I'd say this is a s...Read Morehorted lived perennial here. I'd definitely get it again.
Colorado Springs, CO (Zone 6a) | June 2009 | positive
'Rondo Mix' is probably my favorite penstemon out of probably 20 varieties I grow- maybe one of the top 10 perennials I grow. It is stou...Read Moret and solid looking, and I agree it does not flop like other penstemons have the tendency to do. I have two different varieties of color - a deep blue/purple and a deep light pink. Both are long blooming and stand out among other flowers.
I have had ease and success at starting them from seed indoors in the winter, and they tend to bloom the first year from seed.
Plentiful flowers on short, sturdy stalks. 'Rondo Mix' does not have the tendency to flop as some other varities of Penstemon barbatus d...Read Moreo. One of my favorite Penstemons. Stratification aids germination of seeds. They will rebloom if deadheaded.
most penstemon are short lived perennials even where zone hardy; it is so easy to keep them going when you allow some seed to ripen and s...Read More
I'm a penstemon fan, even though they are short-lived. I have had pretty good luck with Husker Red if I divide and replant about every o...Read More
Here in the Sierra Foothills, these started out well and bloomed nicely. After 4 years only one of twelve is left, so I'd say this is a s...Read More
'Rondo Mix' is probably my favorite penstemon out of probably 20 varieties I grow- maybe one of the top 10 perennials I grow. It is stou...Read More
Plentiful flowers on short, sturdy stalks. 'Rondo Mix' does not have the tendency to flop as some other varities of Penstemon barbatus d...Read More
This plant doesn't seem to flower as much and look as nice as the "Husker Red" , but it has some colored flowers.