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| Category: Perennial |
| Family: Scrophulariaceae (Figworts) |
| Origin: Mexico (North America) |
| Evergreen: Yes |
| Flower Color: Mixed |
| Bloomtime: Spring/Summer |
| Parentage: (Penstemon cobaea x P. hartwegii) |
| Height: 2-3 feet |
| Width: 2-3 feet |
| Exposure: Sun or Shade |
| Deer Tolerant: Yes |
| Irrigation (H2O Info): Medium Water Needs |
| Winter Hardiness: <15° F |
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Penstemon 'Peppermint Candy' (Beard Tongue) - A very attractive robust cultivar with large flowers that are white in the throat with strong pink tips to the petals. It is an evergreen perennial or sub-shrub to 3 feet tall with with 3 ½ " lance-shaped medium green leaves that lack any dentations on the margins. This plant was shipped to us from an overseas nursery as the cultivar 'Appleblossom' but differs from this plant in having larger foliage and flowers. To keep it separate we are calling this plant 'Peppermint Candy' because of its nice pink and white bicolored flowers. As with other Penstemon, the flowers will attract hummingbirds and butterflies into the garden. Plant in full sun along the coast and provide some light shade inland. Tolerates and even thrives in poor soils and alkaline conditions but requires relatively good drainage. Can survive very dry conditions in cooler coastal gardens but looks better with occasional irrigation and requires it in hotter locations. Pinch plants after the first bloom to promote a quick re-bloom and cut back hard in winter to encourage a new flush of dense growth in spring. While extremely showy, Border Penstemons are notably short lived and for plantings to look best, they should be replanted every 3-5 years. Hardy to below 15° F and even much lower if soil is not moist. The Bedding or Border Penstemons are now considered to have a complex parentage involving Penstemon cobaea, P. hartwegii, P. campanulata, P. gentianoides and P. isophyllus.
The information about Penstemon 'Peppermint Candy' displayed on this web page is based on our research conducted in the nursery's horticultural library and from reliable online resources. We also include observations made about it as it grows in our nursery gardens and other gardens we have visited, as well how the crops have performed in containers in our nursery field. We will also incorporate comments we receive from others and welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they can share cultural information that would aid others in growing this plant. |
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