Beardtongue (Penstemon) with its foxglove-like flowers is a popular ornamental perennial in the garden. For cultivation and care instructions, click here.
Tall perennials are universally sought after as their growth habit lends an attractive structure to gardens. Planted on house walls, old walls or fences, they adorn rather unimpressive locations.
The penstemon has excellent properties. Lush green leaves and foxglove-like flowers visually enhance areas in the background. Growth height and flower color differ depending on the species and variety. So when you buy or order penstemon plants, be careful not to be disappointed later. No matter how high or low the ornamental plant grows, it is always decorative.
Short description of plants
Beardtongue originally comes from North America. This genus of plants belongs to the plantain family. In Europe, the flowering perennial has been cultivated since the 19th century. Approximately 250 species are known worldwide.
The perennial already captivates with its lush green leaves in spring. Depending on the species and variety, the plantain plant flowers between May and October. The flowers resemble those of the foxglove. The growth height also varies from 20 to 300 centimetres. In addition to perennial plants, there are also annuals.
This is the perfect spot for the penstemon
The perennial will thank you for a sunny and warm location with optimal growth and a magnificent bloom. It is best to place the higher species in a wind-protected position so that they do not buckle immediately in light gusts. Such a place is, for example, on house walls or hedges, if possible with trellis.
The soil conditions should be species-appropriate for the different plantain plants. Low Penstemon prefers lean, sandy soil and is therefore well suited to the rock garden. Tall-growing penstemon perennials prefer humus-rich and deep soils. It is advantageous to work deep humus and coarse gravel into the soil for the chosen location. This loosens the soil optimally and prevents waterlogging as far as possible.
How to maintain thePenstemon correct
Casting:
Beardtongue doesn't like standing in wet soil. But it should be wet. You must therefore water the plant regularly. Also mulch. The moisture in the soil then does not evaporate as quickly.
It is advisable to check the plant location for moisture on a daily basis on hot summer days. Once the soil surface has dried fingernail deep, water your penstemon immediately.
Fertilize:
If you work in enough compost around your plant in spring and late summer, you will already cover the perennial's nutrient requirements. However, if you notice that your barbel is weakening, it could possibly be due to a lack of nutrients. In this case, add a little liquid fertilizer containing phosphorus to the irrigation water and use it to fertilize the soil.
Pruning:
Withered inflorescences of the perennial can be removed immediately. The plant can then use the energy saved for the capped seed formation to strengthen itself. The ornamental shrub is only radically cut back in spring, not earlier. Before the cold season, the plant collects valuable energy for overwintering and for budding in the following spring.
During the heyday, you can safely cut your whiskers to decorate a vase. You should only use shoots on which 2/3 of the flowers have already opened. Incidentally, the barbel will last a long time in the vase if you cut it early in the morning. Then place the vase with the flowers in a cool, bright place. Shorten the stems a little every two to three days and the flowers will last for a while in the room.
Hiberation:
In general, the garden trade in our latitudes carries winter-proof penstemon. However, the tolerance limits of the minimum temperatures that can be tolerated vary depending on the variety. While some of the plantain plants survive the cold season without any problems, others prefer a suitable room as winter protection.
For more robust varieties, cover the root area with a protective layer of bark mulch, lawn clippings and brushwood. On the other hand, move less cold-resistant varieties to a cool, bright room before the first frost.
Detect and control pests and plant diseases
❍ Aphids:
The barbel can definitely be attacked by aphids. If you have an insect hotel in your garden, cockchafers and parasitic wasps will take over the pest control. You can also kill the pest with dilutedTackle field horsetail broth (instructions for field horsetail broth) or nettle manure (instructions for nettle manure).
❍ Stem Bottom Rot:
Base rot is a fungal disease that can affect Penstemon. If the plant is infected, the shoots will die. Whether fungicides help is uncertain. It is best to remove heavily infested plant parts and dispose of them with household waste. Here's how to stop the spread of the disease.
❍ Root Rot:
Root rot occurs when the soil is heavily compacted. Likewise with long-lasting waterlogging. If an obtrusive smell comes from the soil, then the fungal disease has already spread over the entire root. Remove the shrub and dispose of it in the green waste.
You can prevent root rot by creating a loose and deep soil with compost and coarse gravel. Water regularly, but only in small amounts.
Summary:
Beardtongue is an attractive ornamental plant. Growth, flower color and sensitivity to frost depend on the species and variety. The plant prefers a sunny, warm and sheltered location. The low varieties like lean and sandy soil, while the tall ones require a humus-rich and deep location.
The ornamental shrub must be watered regularly. Compost is completely sufficient for the supply of nutrients. The barbel is generally cut in the spring. Hardy strains overwinter outdoors with a protective layer of mulch and brushwood around the root area. Perennials that are less sensitive to frost must overwinter in a cool and bright room.