Husker Red Penstemon

Penstemon digitalis 'Husker Red'

Plant Details:

Plant Type: Perennial
Plant Family: Scrophulariaceae
Plant Description: The tall, upright stems of this semi-evergreen perennial show off beautiful maroon-red new foliage that turns dark green tinted with red with age. White pink-tinted flowers turn to a deep purple seed head, which can be left or dead headed. Blooms early to mid summer. Fall turns the leaves into a gradient of apricot and burgundy. Native to the eastern US and requires more water than most other penstemons.

Maintenance:

Maintenance Type: Perennial - Herbaceous
Plant Care: Perennial - Herbaceous (soft-stemmed plants that die back in winter and regrow in spring): Remove spent blooms to promote rebloom later. Some plants tend to flop over after the first bloom and attempt to regrow from the base; in these cases, the old stems can be cut away in summer. As plants become dormant in the fall, remove dead leaves and stems.

Plant Attributes:

Mature Size: 2-3' tall x 1-2' wide
Utah Native: No
Plant Select: No
Pollinator Friendly: Yes
Localscapes: Infill Plant
Foliage Interest: No
Foliage Colors: Burgundy, Dark Green
Bloom Colors: Pink, White
Bloom Seasons: Early Summer
Bloom Period: May - Jun

Growing Conditions:

Hardiness Zone: 4 to 9
Light Requirement: Full Sun (6+ hrs sun)
Irrigation Requirement:     Moderate (1/2" every 7-10 days)
Salt Tolerant: Yes
Deer Resistant: Unknown

Garden Location:

  • Neighborhood Landscapes
    • Prudent Perennials
  • Spring
  • Summer
  • Fall
  • Winter