Penstemon heterophyllus ‘Electic Blue’

We’ve grown this one for years, and it always draws attention in the perennial tunnels. The main draw is the intense, gentian-blue flowers, which are held on slender, reddish stems and can be tinged with purple. They provide a long season of colour and are a magnet for bees and other pollinators. The narrow, pointed leaves are an interesting bluish-green, becoming greener as the season progresses.

This is a compact, clump-forming plant, reaching about 60cm in height. It’s an evergreen, so the foliage provides year-round interest in milder spots. For the best results, give it a spot in full sun or light shade in well-drained soil. It doesn’t appreciate cold, wet winter conditions, so adding some grit to heavy soils is a good idea.

Once it’s established, it’s fairly drought tolerant. To keep it looking its best and encourage more flowers, deadhead after the first flush. In early spring, we recommend cutting the plant back to new lower shoots to maintain its shape and vigour. It’s a great choice for filling gaps in borders, spilling over a path edge, or in a wildlife-friendly scheme.