Penstemon, Beard Tongue, Beardtongue, Pride of the Mountain 'Red Rocks'
Penstemon x mexicali
| Family: | Plantaginaceae |
| Genus: | Penstemon (PEN-stem-on) (Info) |
| Species: | x mexicali (meks-ih-KAL-ee) (Info) |
| Cultivar: | Red Rocks |
Category:
Perennials
Water Requirements:
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Sun Exposure:
Full Sun
Sun to Partial Shade
Foliage:
Herbaceous
Textured
This plant is resistant to deer
Foliage Color:
Blue-Green
Height:
12-18 in. (30-45 cm)
Spacing:
12-15 in. (30-38 cm)
Hardiness:
USDA Zone 5a: to -28.8 °C (-20 °F)
USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 °C (-15 °F)
USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F)
USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F)
USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F)
USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F)
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
Where to Grow:
Grow outdoors year-round in hardiness zone
Danger:
N/A
Bloom Color:
Rose/Mauve
Bloom Characteristics:
This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds
Bloom Size:
Bloom Time:
Late Spring/Early Summer
Other details:
Soil pH requirements:
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)
Patent Information:
Non-patented
Propagation Methods:
By dividing the rootball
From herbaceous stem cuttings
From seed; direct sow outdoors in fall
From seed; winter sow in vented containers, coldframe or unheated greenhouse
From seed; stratify if sowing indoors
Seed Collecting:
Allow pods to dry on plant; break open to collect seeds
N/A: plant does not set seed, flowers are sterile, or plants will not come true from seed
Regional
This plant has been said to grow in the following regions:
Athens, Alabama
Trussville, Alabama
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Delta, Colorado
Denver, Colorado
Kiowa, Colorado
Longmont, Colorado
Loveland, Colorado
Dacula, Georgia
Guyton, Georgia
Lula, Georgia
Marietta, Georgia
Saint Charles, Illinois
Greenville, Indiana
Hebron, Kentucky
Lexington, Kentucky
Chesapeake Beach, Maryland
Dracut, Massachusetts
Weymouth, Massachusetts
Dearborn, Michigan
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Sandown, New Hampshire
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Elba, New York
North Tonawanda, New York
Charlotte, North Carolina
Columbus, Ohio
Hilliard, Ohio
Smithville, Ohio
Edmond, Oklahoma
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Sherwood, Oregon
Springfield, Oregon
Albion, Pennsylvania
Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Knoxville, Tennessee
Georgetown, Texas
Riverton, Utah
South Jordan, Utah
Vernal, Utah
Leesburg, Virginia
Lexington, Virginia
CHIMACUM, Washington
Columbus, Wisconsin
show allGardeners' Notes:
| Rating | Content |
|---|---|
| Positive | On Mar 6, 2018, noseykate from SOUTH WEYMOUTH, MA wrote: This one takes a prize for longest-blooming flower in the garden. Tolerates heat and dry soil, just keeps blooming until frost stops it. Very pretty - photos don't do it justice - and the bees like to sip. I was worried that it wouldn't be winter hardy but so far it has done fine in zone 6a. I will always want this cultivar in the garden. |
| Positive | On Jul 16, 2010, Cheryl_103 from Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6a) wrote: This is a perennial that will actually bloom all summer. Here in Pittsburgh it starts in late May/early June, and continues until frost. It has slowed down a bit with the extreme heat we've had this month. |
| Positive | On May 3, 2010, Grinder12000 from Columbus, WI wrote: Wonderful plant that attracts hummingbirds and butterflies. I have it with Lady in Red Salvia. |
| Positive | On May 29, 2009, shelly80504 from Longmont, CO (Zone 5a) wrote: Beautiful pink/coral flowers against "waxy looking" dark green foliage. Because these don't really need any attention from me, but still look great and flowers for most of the summer/fall they are one of my personal favorites. |
| Positive | On Aug 6, 2008, cedar18 from Lula, GA (Zone 7b) wrote: A great plant, it held up better after blooming than nearby P. smallii. I cut it back about 1/3 on June 15 and it's blooming again Aug. 6. The color is a bright pink and looks great with Veronica 'Red Fox.' Foliage still looks very nice. |
| Positive | On Nov 21, 2006, Marilynbeth from Hebron, KY wrote: Beautiful! I love it! Great addition! |
| Positive | On Jun 2, 2005, penpen from North Tonawanda, NY (Zone 6a) wrote: Seeds germinate best with cold stratification. and a great candidate for winter sowing. I winter sowed my seeds and left the containers outside all winter and every single seed sprouted in spring. Very hardy, drought tolerant and a fast grower once the temps warm up. A great addition to any hummingbird garden. |
| Neutral | On Dec 31, 2004, smiln32 from Oklahoma City, OK (Zone 7a) wrote: Plant in a full sun location with well drained soil. It can tolerate drought conditions. Great for zones 5 - 8. Beautiful magenta flowers bloom all summer long. The plant, with flowers, can reach a height of 15". Attracts hummingbirds and butterflies, too. A fast grower. |
