Penstemon hirsutus

var. pygmaeus

DWARF HAIRY BEARDTONGUE

Penstemon hirsutus var. pygmaeus
DWARF HAIRY BEARDTONGUE

Penstemon hirsutus var. pygmaeus is very different to all the other Penstemons – it is a dwarf groundcover.

Dwarf groundcover Penstemon

So instead of upright growth, the dear little Dwarf Hairy Beardtongue forms a mounding, cascading groundcover.
And covers itself with showy, slender cascading penstemon trumpets.

Fine cascading lavender trumpets with showy white lips

Flowering is prolific through spring to mid-summer, and the slender trumpet blooms cascade elegantly, like the foliage.

Evergreen mound of glossy cascading foliage

Penstemon hirsutus var. pygmaeus makes a splendid edging plant – to border a path or cascade gracefully over a rock edge.
It is also lovely as an underplanting for rose and flowering bushes, or mass planted as groundcover.

Elegant foliage decorative all year round

The glossy foliage is elegant all year round, and colours with wine flushes at various times, depending on the weather.
Cold really brings out the colour – so it makes a good winter interest plant.
Leaves also have fine hairs which give them a lovely texture (hence the hairy part of the common name).

Bonus for bees & pollinators

Our insect friends love foraging amongst the blooms, which are designed for their convenience.

Hardy in a wide range of garden conditions

Penstemon hirsutus has a wide spread in the wild – from the cold north to the hot and humid south, right down the eastern side of North America.
Where it can be found from woodlands to grasslands and on bare rocky slopes.
So it is no surprise that it adapts to a wide range of garden conditions.

Tolerates poorer rocky soils & pots

Lovely Dwarf Hairy Beardtongue is renowned for its ability to tolerate poorer, low fertility soils; as well as sandy, rocky and gravel sites.
So it is also excellent grown as a decorative container plant.

Full sun or part shade

And thrives in either full sun positions or with some shade – it is not fussy due to its wide ranging native habitats.

Very frost hardy plus hardy in summer humidity

Dwarf Hairy Beardtongue has a remarkable ability to cope with extremes of both summer and winter.
So it can tolerate frosts to well below -20°C; then also tolerate hot and humid summers, and all points in between.

Water-wise & dry resistant

Penstemon hirsutus var. pygmaeus is also an excellent choice for gardeners on limited water supply.
And can naturally cope with drying out between drinks, and minimal additional watering.
They do not enjoy being overwatered or overfed.

Flower best on a lean diet

In fact they flower best when they are not overfed and the soil is not too rich.
Though they do enjoy mulch to even out soil temperature.

Resistant to rabbits and deer

The nasty munchers do not seem to favour the texture and taste of penstemon hirsutus (though of course they will try anything when they are starving).

Healthy growing & rarely troubled by pests & diseases

Penstemon hirsutus var. pygmaeus is a healthy, easy grower – particularly when it is not overfed and not overwatered.

Evergreen perennial dwarf

Grows 15cm. high in a cascading mound of evergreen foliage and flowers x 40cm. wide.

SEED SOWING ADVICE: Penstemon hirsutus var. pygmaeus

Sow indoors in punnets at any time when suitable temperatures are available.
OR
Sow outdoors in the garden in late autumn-early winter and allow the cold of winter to break the seed dormancy. 

Sow indoors for quick & early plants: First sow the seed on the surface of good quality seed raising mix.
Then pat the seed gently to the surface of the mix to ensure good contact.
But do not cover the seed because these seeds need light to germinate.

Now moisten the punnet thoroughly by standing it in a shallow water bath.
And allowing the moisture to percolate to the surface of the mix from below.

Seeds need a “pretend winter”

Now cling wrap the moist, sown punnet, or place in a clip-lock bag.
And place the punnet in the fridge (not freezer) for 8-12 weeks to mimic a good cold winter.

After 8-12 weeks remove from the fridge, unwrap, and place the punnet in a warm, well-lit position (not in any direct sun).
Moisten thoroughly again.

Temperatures of 16-22°C at this stage are best for rapid and optimum germination.

Continue to keep consistently moist by misting from a spray water-bottle regularly.
Covering the punnet with a clear plastic lid or bag will also help to maintain consistent moisture.
Remove when germination commences.

Seeds usually begin to germinate in 7-14 days approx.
But do not discard the punnet as seeds will continue to germinate over a longer period.

Seed Count: 120 seeds per pack approx.
(We always aim to exceed the stated seed count, and give a generous serve).

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