Penstemon digitalis ‘Husker Red’ and Penstemon mexicali ‘Pike’s Peak Purple’
Two types of Penstemon (Beardtongue) grow in the meditation circle where they form part of the labyrinth’s wall. These were among the original plants I experimented with when once the path was complete. Last summer about half of the Penstemon mexicali ‘Pike’s Peak Purple’ died out, but by then I had some self-seeded transplants of Penstemon digitalis ‘Husker Red’ I could use as replacements. Both kinds of Penstemon started blooming this week and though the original design is no longer intact, the overall effect is a happy one for now.
Penstemon mexicali ‘Pike’s Peak Purple’ (Beardtongue)
Penstemon digitalis ‘Husker Red’ (Beardtongue)
Penstemon digitalis ‘Husker Red’ (Beardtongue)
Penstemon mexicali ‘Pike’s Peak Purple’ (Beardtongue)
pbmGarden 
Life is a collection of unexpected results…Your penstemons are gorgeous this year and real gems in your garden.
So true about life. Certainly a garden changes in unforeseen ways.
Penstemons are such good value, they flower on and on for months if deadheaded, they look lovely in your garden. Ours are just recovering from the winter and biting cold winds and sending up new shoots, it will be a while yet before they flower here.
Pauline, I didn’t realize deadheading would extend the bloom, but will try it this year. They are evergreen here, which is one reason I chose them for the labyrinth, but of course the foliage suffers cold damage. After you cold winter isn’t it wonderful to see plants returning?
I lost most of my penstemons to the drought last year, there is one left that is just about to flower, I’ll have to take some cutting. Husker’s Red is lovely plant, I used to have it in the UK. They look lovely in the meditation circle. Christina
Your drought last year was terrible Christina, but glad you have a penstemon left for cuttings. I hadn’t thought to take cuttings, but looked it up and it should be simple to try. Thanks for the tip and good luck with reestablishing yours. Some of my reseeded Husker’s Red have red foliage, others are mostly green.
Longing for my Huskers to come out now!
I’m sure yours will be lovely when it blooms and I remember last year you had a darker red one than Husker’s too.
Lovely to see penstemon blooming…waiting for my Husker’s Red…the foliage is wonderful
Thank you Donna! Hope your Husker’s Red does well for you this year. The cooler weather here has prolonged the bloom time and I’ve really enjoyed it.