Love this plant.

Love, love, love the color, is it one that is readily available or will I have to hunt for it?

Annette

It's relatively new, but should be readily available. I believe it is a Blooms variety.

Thanks coolplantsguy, we have a nursery not too far down the road that carries Blooms introductions, I'll have a look for it the next time we're down that way.

Annette

I got mine during Blustone's big sale this summer. It's a really nice plant. The blooms last so long and are so quickly replaced with new ones.

Thanks for suggesting it. How are its requirements/tolerance for moisture? Is it more like western penstemons (happier dry) or is it OK in average garden soil?

Mine is in what I would call "average" garden soil. Right next to Hakonechloa 'Albostriata' and Heuchera 'Beaujolais' in pretty much full sun.

Mine is in an average spot in blazing heat and full sun. It is a tough plant!

After seeing so many positive reports re this particular Penstemon I went out and bought two. The problem is is that the purchase was made just yesterday (October 28). I will mulch well, hope for lots of insulating snow and cross my fingers.

A couple more questions:
Have any of you successfully overwintered this yet?
Do you have to deadhead to keep it throwing new blooms or will it rebloom without deadheading?

Thanks!

Just saw this question...it over wintered fine here. No deadheading was required. It bloomed constantly.

I am really excited about this plant. I planted 9 of them this spring in various spots in my garden patch, mainly sourced 50% off from Bluestone Perennials.

Echinaceamaniac, do you have a special technique for rooting these in water? I have a couple of small branches that broke off during planting and I have had them in a glass of water on my windowsill for the past 3 weeks. There is still no sign of rooting.

I had luck last year but now they won't root for me this year. I have no idea why. I think it must have been better rooting gel or timing. I'll try again.

try them in moist sand or a soiless mix such as vermiculite. I find cuttings in water a bit iffy.

This plant blooms over and over. I'm impressed that it is constantly in bloom. I've never seen a Penstemon bloom so long. It does get floppy, but this was a first year plant

I planted 2 of these in my garden late last fall and so this has been their first summer and I too like them ie lots of blooms and not needing much water. But they are a bit floppy. I am curious if they are less so for you now that they are in their second year in your garden?

They weren't floppy this year. They also have better color in the flowers. Love it!

echinaceamaniac, I am noticing that although this plant's foliage is healthy and has been this way since it began flowering there are definitely fewer blooms present this last week and onwards. Was this your experience with SJ last summer?

Mine bloomed all the way to frost last year. The weather this year is so hot that it's not doing as well. This is not a typical year though.