Beardtongue (Penstemon 'Dark Towers')
Penstemon 'Dark Towers' Beardtongue features stunning dark wine-red foliage and pale pink spring blooms. Ideal for sun and dry soils.
Complete Plant Information
Overview
Penstemon ‘Dark Towers’ is a striking cultivar highly valued for its dramatic, dark wine-red foliage that provides year-round interest against the landscape. This herbaceous perennial, commonly known as Beardtongue, produces lovely two-lipped, pale pink flowers starting in late spring. It is a robust choice for areas receiving full sun and thriving in drier conditions once established.
This specific variety, Penstemon ‘Dark Towers’, stands out due to its superior foliage color retention compared to similar dark cultivars. Growing up to 3 feet tall, it offers an excellent vertical accent in borders and cottage gardens. Gardeners appreciate this Beardtongue for its relatively easy-care nature and adaptability to heat and drought.
The genus Penstemon offers incredible diversity, but ‘Dark Towers’ brings deep color contrast to the garden palette. Whether used as a primary specimen or mixed into perennial beds, this plant performs best in well-drained locations, ensuring the roots remain healthy throughout the growing season.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Plantaginaceae
- Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 3-8
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 1.5-3 ft
- Spread: 1-2 ft
- Bloom Time: May to June
- Bloom Description: Pale pink
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Water Needs: Dry to medium
- Maintenance Level: Medium
How to Grow
Plant Penstemon ‘Dark Towers’ in its permanent location during spring or fall, provided the soil is dry to medium and, crucially, well-drained. Full sun exposure is essential not only for optimal flowering but also to maintain the deep maroon coloration of the foliage on this Beardtongue specimen. Amend heavy clay soils extensively with grit or organic matter to improve drainage drastically, as wet, poorly-drained conditions are the primary cause of root rot failure.
Maintenance for Penstemon ‘Dark Towers’ is generally light once established. Water only when the soil feels dry to the touch, as these plants tolerate drought and summer heat well but despise “wet feet.” Fertilization is rarely necessary; overly rich soil can encourage weak, floppy growth.
To keep your patch of Beardtongue looking tidy, promptly remove spent flowering racemes to encourage potential repeat blooming and improve aesthetics. After the main flowering flush in summer, you can cut the stems back to the basal foliage for a cleaner look heading into fall. Gardeners in cold winter climates benefit from applying a loose winter mulch once the ground freezes to protect the crowns.
Landscape Uses
Penstemon ‘Dark Towers’ is adaptable and excels in sunny positions where its deep foliage can contrast with lighter greens and brighter blooms. It is highly recommended for the sunny areas of borders, providing structure and texture throughout the season. The upright habit of this Beardtongue makes it a fantastic middle-of-the-border plant.
Consider using this Penstemon cultivar in rock gardens, capitalizing on its preference for sharp drainage, or integrating it into cottage gardens for vertical interest. Its drought tolerance also makes it suitable for xeriscaping or low-water plantings. When choosing companions, look for plants that share sun and soil needs, such as salvias, ornamental grasses, or lighter-colored coreopsis varieties to make the dark foliage of Penstemon ‘Dark Towers’ really pop.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
Noteworthy Characteristics
Penstemon is a genus of about 250 species of herbaceous perennials and sub-shrubs which are primarily native to the continental U.S., Canada, Mexico and Guatemala in a variety of habitats ranging from desert to plains to alpine slopes. The genus name Penstemon likely comes from the Latin paene meaning “almost” or “nearly” and the Greek stemon meaning “stamen.” Penstemons are sometimes commonly called beardtongues because the sterile stamen (staminode) can be hairy. ‘Dark Towers’ is a clump-forming penstemon noted for its pink flowers and dark wine-red foliage, standing out from similar cultivars like ‘Husker Red’ due to its deeper, longer-lasting color.
Tolerances
- Deer
Potential Problems
The primary threat to successfully growing Penstemon ‘Dark Towers’ is poor soil aeration. Root rot is a significant risk if the plant sits in wet, poorly-drained soils, especially during winter. Ensure your planting site has excellent drainage before installing your Beardtongue.
Fungal issues such as leaf spots, rusts, and powdery mildew can occasionally appear, often exacerbated by high humidity—though this cultivar has some tolerance. Improve air circulation through proper spacing to mitigate mildew risk. Watch for common pests like spider mites, and note that slugs and snails may chew on the foliage, particularly tender new growth. Deer tend to avoid this plant, offering an added benefit in deer-heavy landscapes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Beardtongue (Penstemon ‘Dark Towers’) suitable for?
Penstemon ‘Dark Towers’ is reliably hardy across USDA Zones 3 through 8.
How large does Penstemon ‘Dark Towers’ grow?
This Beardtongue typically achieves a medium height between 1.5 and 3 feet tall, with a spread ranging from 1 to 2 feet wide.
What sun exposure does Penstemon ‘Dark Towers’ need?
This plant requires full sun exposure to achieve its characteristic optimal growth, flower production, and dark foliage color.
When does Penstemon ‘Dark Towers’ bloom?
The showy floral display of pale pink, tubular flowers occurs throughout the late spring into early summer, usually spanning May to June.
Conclusion
Penstemon ‘Dark Towers’ offers exceptional value to the garden through its long-lasting, dark foliage and attractive pale pink blooms, making it a standout perennial. Successfully growing this Beardtongue relies heavily on its need for full sun and excellent soil drainage. Before planting, confirm your site meets these requirements, particularly ensuring the soil is not waterlogged, to ensure your Penstemon ‘Dark Towers’ thrives for seasons to come.
Companion Planting
Selecting appropriate neighbors enhances the performance of Penstemon ‘Dark Towers’. Since this Beardtongue prefers dry to medium soil and full sun, pair it with other sun-loving, drought-tolerant perennials. Good companions include various ornamental grasses, such as Blue Fescue, which offers fine texture, or shorter varieties of Coneflower (Echinacea) that appreciate similar cultural conditions. Avoid moisture-loving plants that will attempt to shade the base of the Penstemon, as this can encourage rot or mildew.
Seasonal Care Calendar
Spring cleanup involves removing any winter mulch applied and cutting back any lingering dead winter foliage near the base of the clumps. As warm weather settles, monitor soil moisture; while established plants tolerate dry spells, new plantings need consistent, deep watering until their roots anchor. In the heat of summer, deadheading spent flower spikes will encourage a tidier appearance and potentially prompt sporadic reblooming, making the most of your Penstemon ‘Dark Towers’ throughout the season.
