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Penstemon digitalis 'Huskers Red' is often confused with:
Penstemon digitalis Flowers
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Dianthus Flowers
Phlox subulata Phlox subulata
Silene coronaria Flower

Penstemon Penstemon digitalis 'Huskers Red'

Other plants called Penstemon:

Phonetic Spelling
PEN-stem-on dij-ee-TAH-liss
Description

'Huskers Red' Beardtongue is a hybrid herbaceous perennial with showy white tubular flowers and maroon-red leaves and stems. The flowers are born on tall stems in panicles late spring to early summer and attract hummingbirds and bees. The foliage is maroon in spring, turning greener with age but with maroon veining. The stems remain red making a nice contrast for the garden.

Plant in well-drained average to dry garden soil in full sun. It is drought tolerant once established. Wet winter soils will cause root rot. Use in the pollinator garden, rock garden, the perennial border, cottage garden or a naturalized setting.

More information on Penstemon digitalis.

See this plant in the following landscapes:
Pollinator Garden in Full Sun Retaining Wall Garden
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#hummingbird friendly#showy flowers#drought tolerant#white flowers#red leaves#cottage garden#deer resistant#red stems#pollinator plant#border front#nectar plant midspring#HS302#bee friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#hummingbird friendly#showy flowers#drought tolerant#white flowers#red leaves#cottage garden#deer resistant#red stems#pollinator plant#border front#nectar plant midspring#HS302#bee friendly
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Penstemon
    Species:
    digitalis
    Family:
    Plantaginaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Wildlife Value:
    Attracts hummingbirds and bees. Deer resistant.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Perennial
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Mounding
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Soil Texture:
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasionally Dry
    Available Space To Plant:
    3 feet-6 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Summer
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Description:
    Oval seed capsules, each containing numerous seeds from July to August.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Pink
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Panicle
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Shape:
    Tubular
    Flower Petals:
    2-3 rays/petals
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    1-inch flowers are white, sometimes with pink blushing and pinkish-purple veins on the inside lower petal. 2-lipped tubular flowers in panicles in late spring to early summer.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Red/Burgundy
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Opposite
    Leaf Shape:
    Elliptical
    Lanceolate
    Oblong
    Leaf Margin:
    Serrate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Basal leaves are elliptic and stem leaves are lance-shaped to oblong. The upper leaves are maroon when young and the lower leaves more green with maroon veins. Margins with fine serrations.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Red/Burgundy
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Cross Section:
    Round
    Stem Form:
    Straight
    Stem Surface:
    Smooth (glabrous)
    Stem Description:
    Stems are maroon, smooth and round
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Coastal
    Naturalized Area
    Slope/Bank
    Landscape Theme:
    Cottage Garden
    Drought Tolerant Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Hummingbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Drought