Penstemon hybrida Rich Rubyv

The Penstemon 'Rich Ruby' is a robust variety of beardtongue. Reaching a height of over 70 cm (28in), it produces long reddish stems with an abundance of large campanulate flowers in burgundy to wine-red with a heavily striated white throat of the same dark red. This perennial is undoubtedly not the hardiest, but it tolerates drought and adapts to ordinary soil. Stunning in summer borders or planted in large containers, it is also an excellent cut flower.

The hybrid Penstemon 'Rich Ruby' is a bushy, woody perennial belonging to the family Scrophulariaceae, just like foxgloves and snapdragons. Like many hybrid penstemons, it results from cross-breeding several species, most native to Central and North America. This variety forms beautiful upright and generous clumps, reaching 70 cm (28in) to 1 m (3ft) in height, with a minimum diameter of 60 cm (24in). Its purple-green and branching stems are covered with abundant lanceolate medium-green foliage. It has a relatively rapid growth rate. Flowering occurs from June to September to October, developing at the terminal part of the leafy stems. The bell-shaped flowers are arranged in somewhat loose clusters. They display a vibrant, intense burgundy or wine-red colour, with a striated red throat surrounded by a violet halo. The flowers of this variety are sterile.

The 'Rich Ruby' penstemon or beardtongue is best used in borders due to its large size, among perennials such as agapanthus, Bluebeard, Rhodoanthemum hosimariensis, Cape daisies, or mixed with annuals such as love-in-a-mist. It will blend well in dry and moderately chalky soil with rose mallows, purple toadflax, cotton lavenders, rockroses, or wormwoods. It also performs well in a large pot, with proper drainage and regular fertilising. Penstemons also make excellent cut flowers.