Penstemon ‘Blackbird’

Penstemon ‘Blackbird’

Add a splash of jewel-like colour to your borders with Penstemon ‘Blackbird’. Its slender spikes of velvety purple-red, foxglove-like flowers rise above mounds of fresh green foliage, providing a striking vertical accent in summer borders. Loved by bees for their open throats and nectar, these flowers carry the garden seamlessly from midsummer into autumn.

‘Blackbird’ is a strong, hardy penstemon that delivers reliable performance year after year. It thrives in sunny or lightly shaded spots with well-drained soil, blending beautifully with late-season perennials and ornamental grasses. Its long flowering period and graceful habit make it an excellent choice for extending colour right to the end of the season.

Specifications:

• Height: 60–75cm

• Spread: 45cm

• Flowering: June to October

• Position: Full sun or partial shade

• Soil: Fertile, well-drained

• Maintenance: Deadhead regularly to extend flowering; cut back stems in spring once growth resumes; mulch in colder areas for added winter protection

🌿 Note for Isle of Wight planting:

‘Blackbird’ enjoys the island’s long growing season and mild winters, flowering well in both coastal and inland gardens. In heavier inland clay soils, add grit and organic matter to improve drainage. In coastal gardens, light shelter from salt-laden winds will help maintain fresh foliage and long-lasting flowers.

🌿 Ideal Companion Plants from The Green Standard Range:

• • Verbena ‘Bampton’ – Adds an airy, purple haze to contrast with the rich flowers

• • Achillea millefolium ‘Paprika’ – Warm, pollinator-friendly flowers to echo summer tones

• • Stipa tenuissima ‘Ponytails’ – Soft grasses that move around the upright flower spikes

• • Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’ – Provides a bold handover of colour into late autumn

• • Salvia ‘Caradonna’ – Elegant dark stems and violet flowers for depth and drama

🌟 The Green Standard Tip:

Cut back a third of the stems in mid-summer after flowering begins. This staggered pruning encourages new shoots and ensures you’ll have flowers carrying on right into autumn.