Penstemon ‘Garnet’
£6.50
Out of stock
🌿 Penstemon ‘Garnet’
(Also known as Penstemon ‘Andenken an Friedrich Hahn’)
A classic border staple with enduring charm, Penstemon ‘Garnet’ bears slender spires of deep claret-red flowers with a pale throat, blooming freely from early summer right through to the first frosts. Its semi-evergreen foliage stays tidy year-round in milder gardens, and it brings a bold pop of colour to mixed borders, gravel gardens, and pollinator-friendly schemes.
Tough, generous, and floriferous — this is one of the longest-performing Penstemons you can grow.
Specifications:
Height: 60–80cm
Spread: 40–50cm
Flowering: June to October 🌺
Position: Full sun or light shade
Soil: Well-drained, fertile soil; dislikes sitting wet over winter
🌿 Note for Isle of Wight planting:
On the Isle of Wight, Penstemon ‘Garnet’ performs exceptionally well in coastal or sheltered inland gardens. It enjoys the warmth of the island climate and, with good drainage, often overwinters reliably. Mulch lightly in autumn and avoid cutting back hard until spring to protect against cold snaps.
🌿 Ideal Companion Plants from The Green Standard Range:
1. Achillea millefolium ‘Paprika’
Warm, fiery tones pair beautifully with ‘Garnet’ for a bold, sun-loving summer display.
2. Salvia ‘Nachtvlinder’
Echoes the rich colour and attracts a wealth of pollinators — a great duo for structure and scent.
3. Geum ‘Totally Tangerine’
Layer these two for a long season of complementary colour and relaxed cottage-garden feel.
4. Nepeta ‘Six Hills Giant’
Low mounds of aromatic foliage set off the upright stems of Penstemon and help deter pests.
5. Erigeron karvinskianus
Spill over pathways or pots with these daisy-like blooms at the feet of Penstemon ‘Garnet’.
🌟 The Green Standard Tip:
Pinch out growing tips early in the season to encourage bushiness, and deadhead regularly to prolong flowering. In milder Isle of Wight gardens, this Penstemon will often behave like a semi-evergreen subshrub.