Penstemon digitalis 'Husker Red'

Husker Red Penstemon

Penstemon digitalis ‘Husker Red’
Husker Red Beardtongue / Foxglove Beardtongue

Penstemon digitalis ‘Husker Red’ is a clump-forming herbaceous perennial valued for its dark red to burgundy-bronze foliage, red-purple stems, and airy spikes of white to very pale pink tubular flowers. It blooms in late spring to early summer, giving strong contrast between the light flowers and darker foliage. This is one of the best-known dark-leaved beardtongues and was selected as the 1996 Perennial Plant Association Plant of the Year.

Type: Herbaceous perennial
Mature Size: 18–24 in. wide × 24–36 in. tall in bloom
USDA Zones: 3a–8b
Form: Upright clump with basal foliage and vertical flower stems
Light: Full sun to part shade
Soil / Water: Average to dry, well-drained soil; low to moderate water once established
Bloom Time / Length: Late spring to early summer; typically several weeks
Wildlife: Attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds; deer resistant

Features & Landscape Uses:
Excellent for perennial borders, native-style gardens, pollinator plantings, cottage gardens, meadow edges, and mass plantings. The burgundy foliage gives color before and after bloom, while the white flowers brighten the planting and combine well with ornamental grasses, salvia, nepeta, coreopsis, yarrow, sedum, and other sun-loving perennials. Missouri Botanical Garden notes that Penstemon digitalis is a Missouri-native perennial commonly found in prairies, fields, wood margins, and open woods.

Care:
Plant in well-drained soil and avoid wet, heavy conditions, especially in winter. Deadhead after bloom if a tidier appearance is desired, or leave some seed heads for naturalizing. Cut old stems back after flowering or in early spring. Plants may self-seed lightly, and seedlings may not retain the same dark foliage as the original cultivar.

Plant type

Perennial

Height

2-3'

Width

1-2'

Hardiness zones

3–8

Sunlight

Full Sun, Partial Shade

Growth rate

Fast

Bloom time

Early Summer, Late Spring

Flower color

White

Leaf color

Dark Red

Fall color

Dark Red

Attracts

Butterflies, Hummingbirds

Soil

Average, Light, Well Drained

Shape

Clump, Upright

Fruit

Yes

Deer resistant

Yes

Salt tolerant

Yes

Drought tolerant

No