Penstemon barbatus Cambridge Mixture

Hardy Perennial

• Flowers in : Summer
• Germination : Experience Useful
• Aftercare : Easy
• Ideal for : Bedding, Borders, Patios
• Special Features : Flowers in 1st Year
• Height : 12 inches

Description

A high quality mixture in shades of rose, pink, blue and purple, with grey-green foliage. Superb for containers and bedding with compact, neat habit and flowering only 16-20 weeks after sowing. Flowers summer. Height 30cm (12in).

Sowing Instructions

Sow in February/March for flowering the same year or in August for overwintering. Use a good seed compost and just cover the seed with a thin layer of compost or Sow-Lite (vermiculite). Germination takes 14-30 days at 15-18C (60-65F). Don't exclude light, sealing in a polythene bag after sowing is helpful.

Growing Instructions

When large enough to handle, transplant the seedlings to boxes or 7.5cm (3in) pots, and grow on in cooler conditions. When well grown, gradually acclimatise to outdoor conditions and plant out in late spring after all risk of frost has passed. Plant 30cm (12in) apart in full sun and well-drained soil.

Aftercare

August sown plants should be overwintered in a cold frame/ greenhouse etc for planting out the following spring. The flowers are excellent for cutting and last well in water.