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Photo by Terra Nova Nurseries, Inc.

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Buy Penstemon 'Dark Towers'

Also Known As

Dark Towers Beard Tongue
Dark Towers Beardtongue
Dark Towers Penstemon

Plant type

perennial

size

H: 24"-36"
W: 12"-30"

planting zones

3a-9b

4 inch pot | $15

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Fewer than 25 at Secret Garden Growers

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Penstemon 'Dark Towers' plant details

Penstemon 'Dark Towers' is a fast-growing broadleaf semi-evergreen perennial with bronze and purple foliage. In summer burgundy and pink flowers emerge. Features glossy texture. Attracts bees and hummingbirds making it an excellent addition to pollinator gardens. Grows well with sun and regular - low water. Does well in average and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something heat tolerant, humidity tolerant and verticillium wilt resistant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Penstemon 'Dark Towers'

Plant type: perennial
Plant family: plantaginaceae
Foliage: semi-evergreen bronze and purple
Mature size: 12 IN - 30 IN - wide, 24 IN - 36 IN - tall
Flowers: burgundy and pink blooms in summer
Uses: border plant, cottage garden, cutting garden

GROWING CONDITIONS for Penstemon 'Dark Towers'

USDA Zones: 3a - 9b
Sun exposure: sun
Watering frequency: regular - low
Resistant to: heat, humidity and verticillium wilt
Soil needs: average and well-drained

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Nursery contributed plant descriptions

This tremendous improvement over ‘Husker Red’ was developed by Penstemon expert Dale Lindgren of the University of Nebraska who also hybridized 'Husker Red'. In comparison, ‘Dark Towers’ has much darker foliage that emerges wine purple and keeps its colour much better through the summer heat. It grows a bit taller than ‘Husker Red’ and produces masses of pink, rather than white, flowers in early to midsummer. Photo courtesy of Walters Gardens.

By: Phoenix Perennials and Specialty Plants Ltd.

This 3' University of Nebraska wildflower hybrid is an explosion of complementary pink-rose-and-wine in late-summer when its deep-wine-red foliage is topped by a profusion of rose-to-pink flowers; tough as nails! S/M-D/GDr PPAF PVR

By: Forestfarm

Dark wine red foliage all summer long on this perennial Beardtongue... 18-30” tall spikes of pink tubular booms over spectacular deep red clumps of foliage 12-20” wide in late spring to mid-summer. Hummer and butterfly candy! Full sun, avoid wet poorly drained soils; tolerates some heat & humidity. We just think it’s a really classy and elegant plant!

By: Secret Garden Growers

This cultivar of native penstemon has non-fading deep wine red foliage and a multitude of rosy lavender narrow bell-like blooms held on sturdy upright stems. Bred in Nebraska, it shrugs off heat, humidity and severe winter cold and blooms like mad for months in late spring into summer. Provide very well-drained soils.

By: Select Seeds

Glossy bronze-red foliage is topped with masses of pink flowers in July and August. Compared to 'Husker's Red' this beauty has much darker foliage which stays darker. Dale Lindgren of University of Nebraska created this dark leaf ultra-hardy, pink flowering form. A tough, carefree plant which tolerates high heat and humidity. A perfect dark background plant for the border.

By: Terra Nova Nurseries, Inc.

Garden photo gallery of Penstemon 'Dark Towers'

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By: Terra Nova Nurseries, Inc.

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By: Terra Nova Nurseries, Inc.

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Photo of Penstemon 'Dark Towers' foliage by Confessions of a Plant Geek

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By: Confessions of a Plant Geek

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Gardening facts about Penstemon 'Dark Towers' plant

How to Grow Penstemon 'Dark Towers'

Sun Exposure
- sun
Water Needs
- regular - low
Soil Needs
- average
- well-drained
Special Situation
- heat tolerant
- humidity tolerant
- verticillium wilt resistant