Penstemon schmidelii 'Red Riding Hood' is a stunning and compact perennial that captivates garden enthusiasts with its vibrant display of bright red tubular flowers. This plant is particularly appreciated for its neat, upright growth habit, making it an excellent choice for sunny borders, pollinator gardens, and container arrangements. Its striking scarlet-red blooms, adorned with a delicate pale throat, add a burst of color and vitality to summer planting schemes, ensuring that any garden space feels lively and inviting.
The flowering period of 'Red Riding Hood' extends from early summer through to early autumn, often persisting until the first frosts arrive. This extended blooming season not only enhances the visual appeal of the garden but also attracts a variety of pollinators, including bees and butterflies, which are drawn to its trumpet-shaped flowers. The foliage of this perennial is equally appealing, featuring lance-shaped, mid-green leaves that form a tidy clump, providing a lush backdrop to the vibrant blooms and contributing to the overall structure of the garden.
This hardy perennial thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, making it well-suited for mixed or herbaceous borders, gravel gardens, and patio containers. It is important to avoid overly wet conditions during winter to ensure its health. Once established, 'Red Riding Hood' demonstrates impressive drought tolerance, performing well even in dry or sandy soils. Regular deadheading of spent flowers encourages further blooming, enhancing its longevity in the garden. While it is generally hardy across most parts of the UK, providing a layer of mulch in colder regions during winter can help protect it from harsh conditions.
Height: 60 cm (24 in) Spread: 40 cm (16 in)
Grow penstemon in a sunny or semi shaded position on fertile, well drained soil. Penstemons can tolerate dry soils once established but dislike heavy soils that are particularly cold and wet in winter. Improve heavy soils by adding plenty of coarse grit prior to planting.
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