Penstemon 'Blackbeard'

Penstemon 'Blackbeard': Eggplant-Dark Leaves on Upright Stems

Eggplant-purple leaves, dark stems and lilac flowers with white throats. 'Blackbeard' sails into the border like it's about to claim the whole yard as plunder. ARRR YOU READY FOR THIS?

Plant Characteristics:

• Botanical Name: Penstemon hybrid
• Common Name: Beardtongue
• Height: 70–85 cm (28–34 in)
• Spread: 60 cm (24 in)
• Flowers: Lilac-purple tubes with white interiors, on dark purple stems
• Bloom Time: Early to midsummer (June to July)
• Foliage: A low mound of deep eggplant-purple leaves, followed by dark burgundy seed pods
• Features: Salt tolerant, good cut flower
• Plant Patent: USPP 30,052

Where to Plant: Use it in the middle of a sunny border, in a cottage garden, or in a prairie-style planting. It's salt tolerant, so it can handle beds near a driveway or sidewalk.

Companion Plants: Eryngium yuccifolium stands behind with white globe flowers on 90 to 150 cm stems from July to September. Achillea 'Little Moonshine' adds yellow at the front from June to September, a bright contrast to the lavender spikes. Eragrostis spectabilis is a fine-textured grass at 30 to 60 cm that blooms from July to September. All four love full sun and sharp drainage.

Plant Care: Plant in full sun in average, well-drained soil. Beardtongues dislike sitting in cold, wet soil over winter, so avoid low spots in heavy clay, or loosen the soil and plant a little high. Water regularly through the first season. After that it handles dry spells well. Leave the spent flower stems if you want the burgundy seed pods for fall and winter interest. Cut the old stems back in early spring, keeping the low leafy base. Divide in spring every few years if the centre of the clump starts to thin.

History: 'Blackbeard' was bred by Hans Hansen at Walters Gardens in Zeeland, Michigan, from seed of a self-pollinated plant of the dark-leaved beardtongue 'Pocahontas'. The seed was sown in fall 2013, and this seedling was picked out in summer 2014 for its dark colour and upright stems.

Final Thoughts: The hummingbirds have joined the crew, the bees signed on too, and it shrugs at salt and drought. RAISE THE FLAG AND PLANT IT.