Penstemon barbatus 'Rondo Mix'

Rondo Beardtongue

Penstemon barbatus ‘Rondo Mix’
Rondo Mix Beardtongue / Beardlip Penstemon

Penstemon barbatus ‘Rondo Mix’ is a compact herbaceous perennial grown from a seed-raised mix, producing upright stems with tubular flowers in shades of pink, lavender, rose, red, purple, and sometimes white. The narrow, lance-shaped green foliage forms a basal clump, while the colorful flower spikes rise above it in late spring to summer. This selection works well in sunny borders, cottage gardens, pollinator plantings, rock gardens, and dry, well-drained perennial beds. RHS describes ‘Rondo’ as a compact mix to about 40 cm tall with semi-evergreen basal rosettes and deciduous flowering stems.

Type: Herbaceous perennial
Mature Size: 12–18 in. wide × 12–24 in. tall
USDA Zones: 4a–8b
Form: Compact basal clump with upright flowering stems
Light: Full sun
Soil / Water: Well-drained soil; low to moderate water once established; avoid wet, heavy winter soils
Bloom Time / Length: Late spring to summer; often blooms for several weeks and may rebloom lightly with deadheading
Wildlife: Attracts hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies; generally deer resistant

Features & Landscape Uses:
Excellent for mixed perennial borders, pollinator gardens, rock gardens, xeriscapes, sunny cottage gardens, and mass plantings. The mixed flower colors make it useful where a softer, varied color effect is preferred instead of a single-color cultivar. It also works as a cut flower and combines well with ornamental grasses, salvia, catmint, yarrow, coreopsis, sedum, and other sun-loving perennials. Several nursery listings note its value for mixed borders, hummingbirds, butterflies, containers, drought tolerance, and cut flowers.

Care:
Plant in full sun with sharp drainage. Do not overwater, especially in winter. Deadhead spent flower stems to encourage additional bloom and keep the plant tidy. Cut back old stems after flowering or in early spring. In colder or wetter climates, a dry winter mulch can help protect the crown, but avoid heavy mulch that holds moisture against the plant. 

Plant type

Perennial

Height

18-24''

Width

12-18"

Hardiness zones

4–8

Sunlight

Full Sun

Growth rate

Fast

Bloom time

Late Spring, Summer

Flower color

Pink

Leaf color

Green

Fall color

Green

Attracts

Butterflies, Hummingbirds

Soil

Average, Well Drained

Landscape use

Accent Plant, Container, Mass Planting

Shape

Clump, Compact, Upright

Fruit

Yes

Deer resistant

Yes

Salt tolerant

Yes

Drought tolerant

No