Penstemons, The Very Best Perennial Flowers

Penstemons really are the very best perennial flowers. They were used by the Native Americans to relieve toothache and the first scientific description of these beautiful perennial flowers, was in 1748, by John Mitchell.

Because of their unbelievably long flowering season and their extremely easy going nature, they are still very popular today. This is born out by the existence of an international penstemon society. Its members enjoy the wonderful name of Penstemaniacs.

Below are some of the reasons Penstemons are so loved by perennial flower growers.

• Flowering for over six months of the year from early summer to late autumn.
• Extremely easy to grow.
• Resistant to slugs and other garden pests.
• Easy and simple to propagate in autumn.
• Thrive in part shade or sun in virtually any well drained soil.
• Superbly easy to care for.
• Thrive in pots, containers and borders.
• Attract insects for pollinating your garden.

Once established, Penstemons are one of the easiest perennial flowers to care for. They just need dead heading regularly, by removing the whole flower spike. When all risk of frost has passed in the spring, cut back their foliage, down to the new green shoots.

For a wonderful collection of Penstemons, please do have a look at the Hayloft Plants site. Their collection is outstanding and the 'photos superb.