Penstemon 'Sour Grapes'
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BEARD TONGUE
Family: Scrophulariaceae
Pronounced: pen-STAY-mon
GROWING GUIDE
Geographic Origin:
Garden.
Plant Group:
Perennial.
Hardiness:
Sunset zones: 6-9, 14-24.
USDA zones: 7-10.
Mature size:
Height: 2 feet.
Width: 18 inches.
Flowering period:
Early summer to mid-autumn.
Flowering attributes:
Tubular, bell-shaped, deep purple flower.
Leaf attributes:
Evergreen, large leaf.
Growth habit:
Clump-forming.
Light:
Full sun.
Soil:
Fertile, well-drained soil.
Feeding:
I keep penstemons on the lean side; they tend to live longer if not over-fertilized. Side-dress with compost or manures in fall, and fertilize in spring when growth begins, with a complete organic fertilizer.
Propagation Methods:
Divide in late spring. | Softwood cuttings in spring.
Pruning Methods:
Deadhead as flowers fade. Prune plants in late winter, or very early spring before new growth begins. I prune mine back to about 12-18 inches high.
Rainy Side Notes
Penstemon comes from the Greek words pente, five, and stemon, a stamen, referring to the five stamens.
Marjery Fish grew Penstemon 'Sour Grapes' in England. This hybrid has P. hirsutus in its parentage. The name ‘Sour Grapes’ comes from the way the flowers are bunched together. I would suggest the flower color is that of mouth-watering purple grapes, nothing sour looking about them. It looks best planted in groups of 5 to 7 or more. The evergreen foliage makes this plant a good choice for year round. In my garden this penstemon is long lived.
Penstemon ‘Sour Grapes’ is a good hummingbird and bee plant.
Debra Teachout-Teashon
Photographed in author's garden.
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