Buy Penstemon 'Thorn'

Also Known As

Penstemon X gloxinioides 'Thorn'

Plant type

perennial

size

H: 2'-3'
W: 2'-3'

planting zones

6a-10b

3.5 | $12

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Fewer than 20 at Secret Garden Growers

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Penstemon 'Thorn' plant details

Penstemon 'Thorn' is a broadleaf semi-evergreen perennial with green foliage. In fall and summer pink and white flowers emerge. 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 verticillium wilt resistant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Penstemon 'Thorn'

Plant type: perennial
Plant family: plantaginaceae
Foliage: semi-evergreen green
Mature size: 2 FT - 3 FT - wide, 2 FT - 3 FT - tall
Flowers: pink and white blooms in fall and summer
Uses: cutting garden, easy-to-grow, long-blooming

GROWING CONDITIONS for Penstemon 'Thorn'

USDA Zones: 6a - 10b
Sun exposure: sun
Watering frequency: regular - low
Resistant to: deer, verticillium wilt
Soil needs: average and well-drained

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Nursery contributed plant descriptions

White tubular blossoms the length of the 2' tall stems are variously blushed with pink or dipped in rose-red. The result is a tantalizing Penstemon "confection," blooming July - November. Makes a 2' wide clump of raspberry cream puffs.Minimum temperature: -10 °F

By: Dancing Oaks Nursery

Vigorous cultivar with shining, deep green foliage - Upright stems topped by bright white tubular flowers with faces painted in raspberry jam! Full sun - Average garden conditions - Most soils – Deadheading maximizes bloom – Loved by hummers - Easy and very floriferous!

By: Secret Garden Growers

Upright form to 2' tall with large, tubular, creamy white flowers that blush rose-red at the tips and pale pink along the corolla. This narrow-leafed variety is often confused with 'Apple Blossom', 'Beech Park' and 'Peace' because of the similar white-and-pink flower coloration.

By: Native Sons

A vigorous sprawling perennial carrying white foxglove flowers edged pink. Mid green lance shaped leaves are symmetrically arranged on long stems. Give space to root into the ground. Flowers throughout the warmer months. Try not to disturb the roots.

By: Zephs

‘Thorn’ is an extremely long-lived & vigorous Penstemon. I planted it in my garden 8 years ago together with other cultivars & ‘Thorn’ shows no signs of slowing down while most of the others weakened & died after a couple of years. It gets to 2-3’ tall & roots on the ground, so it is getting wider than the 2’ I expected. However, it is by no means a weed & is easy to contain. The name ‘Thorn’ is misleading since it does not have thorns – perhaps it is the name of a person, now forgotten. Sometimes it is misnamed ‘Apple Blossom’ (different cultivar) because the coloring of the 2” flowers resemble apple blossoms: creamy with red tips, very pretty & popular with the bumblebees. Cut off the spent flower spikes & it will bloom Spring-Fall. As with all Penstemon cultivars, cut it back in the winter to keep strong new shoots coming. Side-dress with a little compost in Spring & Summer.