On a recommendation from Monique, who has never led me astray, I bought and planted Penstemon 'Dark Towers' last spring. It was in bloom but I didn't get a good feel for it's flowers. However, after cutting back the spent flowers I was impressed that the foliage held up all season and remained dark-not at all the experience I had with the muddy dull foliage of 'Husker Red'.
Well the flowers definitely caught my attention this year. And check out those dark purple stems! Ooh-la-la!
White Flower Farm lists the bloom time on this plant as July-Aug. It's blooming now in my garden and was blooming around now when I bought it last year. Due to a mild winter, most plants are blooming earlier than usual around here but I have a hard time believing this will bloom as late as August. Plan for 30" of height when in bloom. Mine is growing in part afternoon sun and doing just fine.
Early indication is you can't go wrong with this plant. I think it's time I pick up a few more of these bad boys and sprinkle them around other areas of the garden and I suggest you do too!
Nice!
ReplyDeleteSue-if you let this go to seed you'll have tons of babies to work with for free. If they love where they are they get big like yours at least within two seasons. Penstemons are great plants. I started with one plant and now have at least ten good clumps of 'Mystica'.
ReplyDeleteoooh love the way the foliage is green going to purple! I love penstemons too!
ReplyDeleteI got rid of Husker years ago for the same reasons you describe. This year I picked up P digitalis 'Mystica' from Annies, and it looks remarkably like your Dark Towers.It has been in bloom since April and I am told it will throw up more blooms through the summer.The foliage is great..and I love the red stem thing.
ReplyDeleteI'll have to look into 'Mystica'. Especially if Babs is growing it-must be hardy here-not all Penstemons are.
DeleteI still have Husker's Red and enjoy it a great deal though others I know share your thoughts.
ReplyDeleteHow is it the people can lead me on a plant hunt even "long distance"??? Yes, those dark stems are super, rather like Thalictrum Black Stockings and black stem maidenhair ferns.
Oooh-Thalictrum 'Black Stockings'. Is the foliage dark too, Marie?
DeleteNo, but the height is great and it looks good next to my Black Lace Elderberry.
ReplyDeleteI'd love to do some idylling in your garden. That is a fantastic penstemon. I have never seen it before.
ReplyDeleteVisitors are always welcome to my garden! I've been enjoying my virtual tour of yours. What a beautiful, tucked away spot!
DeleteLike the other commenters above, I have Husker's Red. I do like it, but thought its modest performance was more due to where I placed it, too hidden among a jumble of other plants. I cleared them out and this is the first year I am enjoying a stand of Husker's Red by itself. Good to know about the relative merits of this one versus your longer bloomer, richer foliaged Dark Towers!
ReplyDeleteI cut my Towers down to 6" above grade.... That's what google told me... I think utter was the wrong thing to do... Any advice? It's growing now but pretty wimpy little buds off of the main Woody trunks...
ReplyDeleteIf this plant you are talking about, has almost irredescent violet flowers, I planted this in my border last years and it bloomed all summer. Deer didn’t touch it! It is up now in my Spring garden and it is bigger and better. No blooms yet. Is it called “Dark Towers” or Mystic??
ReplyDeleteBy chance I found one one gallon while nursery hopping last Spring. I was with a bunch of ladies and they were ready to go when I fixed my eyes on this. It was a quick decision but have not been regretful one bit. It bloomed the whole summer and leaves stayed purple. This year.. in its second year, it is bigger and better. I have it growing in part sun in my perennial border. Skirted with lime creeping Jenny and Purple smoke tree nearby.. wish I could find several more!! Don’t hesitate if you come across this plant. Zone 8
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