Penstemon 'Onyx and Pearls'

Penstemon 'Onyx and Pearls': Near-Black Leaves Under Pale Blooms

Near-black foliage and flowers that look white from across the yard. 'Onyx and Pearls' is basically the garden wearing its good jewellery on a Tuesday. NO SPECIAL OCCASION NEEDED.

Plant Characteristics:

• Botanical Name: Penstemon hybrid
• Common Name: Beardtongue
• Height: 107 cm (42 in)
• Spread: 97–107 cm (38–42 in)
• Flowers: Soft lavender with white interiors, appearing white from a distance
• Bloom Time: Early to midsummer (June to July)
• Foliage: Dark purple, almost black, on an upright clump
• Features: Salt tolerant, good cut flower
• Plant Patent: USPP 32,613

Where to Plant: This is a tall one, so put it in the middle or back of a sunny border or use it as a focal point. It tolerates salt, so it works along driveways and front walks. It also fits cottage or prairie-style gardens, and the stems last well in a vase.

Companion Plants: Geum TEMPO™ 'Rose' flowers in pink from April to June, giving the front of the bed colour before the penstemon opens. Iris 'Immortality' adds white bearded iris blooms in June and often reblooms from August to October. Heliopsis 'Summer Eclipse' carries orange flowers from July to September at 60 to 75 cm. All three enjoy full sun alongside this tall penstemon.

Plant Care: Plant in full sun in very well-drained soil. Wet feet in winter are the main thing that kills beardtongues, so avoid heavy clay that stays soggy, or raise the planting area. Water regularly through the first season, then only during long droughts. Cut spent flower stems back after bloom to tidy the clump, or leave a few for seed pods. Cut the remaining stems down in early spring, keeping the leafy base. Divide in spring if the clump gets crowded.

History: 'Onyx and Pearls' was bred by Hans Hansen at Walters Gardens in Zeeland, Michigan, as a second-generation seedling from a self-pollinated line of the dark-leaved beardtongue 'Pocahontas'. The seed was collected in fall 2013, and the seedling was selected in summer 2015.

Final Thoughts: Tall, salt tolerant and adored by hummingbirds. Snip a few stems for the table. KEEP THE JEWELLERY BOX OPEN.