I was at Caldwell's in Rosenberg and saw Penstemon Pina colado - I have never seen them before. I've read about penstemon, but not seen any for sale. I bought a couple and put them in a planter. Any tips for care, and how they might be expected to do in Houston?
NickTexas
Penstemon pina colado
I ordered some, I think from Bluestone. I've had penstemon before, but treated it as an annual. I love it, so I need to find one that will be perennial here.
Pina colada is one of those showing P.barbatus hybrids. I can never get them to live very long, but they're so beautiful. I keep trying too:0)
Penstemon prefer well drained soil so it may be best to leave in the planter. Two that do well for me are P.tenius (brazos penstemon and can take heavier soil) and P. digitalis (husker's red). I've got some other species winter sown but only time will tell if they survive.
Well, I've got a bed that's on the edge of our creek/drainage ditch/whatever, so it does have great drainage. I've even gotten Gerber daises to last a couple of years, which is a first for me. Hopefully the penstemon will like it there.
I have the huskers red and it has done well since planting it last year. the hummers love it!
Okay, so good drainage and leave in a planter with potting soil. What about sun requirements? Any ideas on that. I'm thinking morning sun only?? Nick Texas :)
They like far more sun then you'd think. You'll get one big flush of blooms for a few weeks then they'll stop for the year. For now I'd put them where you want to see and enjoy them the most in full. Once the summer gets to cranking up and they're done blooming, then you could move them into half day sun so you don't have to water as much.
Please let us know how these do once the summer starts heating up :0) I'm always interested in new penstemons, if they can live out the year near Houston, surely they could do it here :0)
Great suggestion, Cocoa. I put them in a planter by the back door, where it gets quite a bit of sun, and will move them when the heat rolls in to a more shady spot. Thanks, N