- Botanical name: Penstemon barbatus 'Iron Maiden'
- Common name: Penstemon
- Family: Plantaginaceae
- Plant Type: Perennial
Red
Green
- Key features:
- Attractive to wildlife
- Flowers
- Low maintenance plant
Penstemon barbatus ‘Iron Maiden’ is a half-hardy perennial penstemon, with tall stems bearing bright scarlet flowers from midsummer to early autumn. As they’re not fully hardy, it’s advisable to avoid cutting back the old growth, which will provide extra protection, until the worst winter weather is over, usually around February and March. You can then cut it back hard to make way for fresh growth.
When planting, give them a light feed but don’t feed again – overfeeding will result in lots of leafy growth at the expense of flowers. To prolong flowering, cut back spent flower stems.
For best results, grow Penstemon barbatus ‘Iron Maiden’ in light, well-drained soil in full sun.
How to grow Penstemon 'Iron Maiden'
-
Plant size
1.2m height
40cm spread
-
Aspect
South facing, west facing
-
Position in border
Middle
- Sun exposure: Full sun
- Hardiness: Half hardy
- Soil type: Well drained / light / sandy / chalky / alkaline
Plant calendar
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sow | ||||||||||||
| Sow |
J
Do not Sow in January |
F
Do not Sow in February |
M
Do Sow in March |
A
Do Sow in April |
M
Do not Sow in May |
J
Do not Sow in June |
J
Do not Sow in July |
A
Do not Sow in August |
S
Do not Sow in September |
O
Do not Sow in October |
N
Do not Sow in November |
D
Do not Sow in December |
| Plant | ||||||||||||
| Plant |
J
Do not Plant in January |
F
Do not Plant in February |
M
Do Plant in March |
A
Do Plant in April |
M
Do Plant in May |
J
Do not Plant in June |
J
Do not Plant in July |
A
Do not Plant in August |
S
Do Plant in September |
O
Do Plant in October |
N
Do Plant in November |
D
Do not Plant in December |
| Flowers | ||||||||||||
| Flowers |
J
Plant does not flower in January |
F
Plant does not flower in February |
M
Plant does not flower in March |
A
Plant does not flower in April |
M
Plant does not flower in May |
J
Plant does not flower in June |
J
Plant does flower in July |
A
Plant does flower in August |
S
Plant does flower in September |
O
Plant does not flower in October |
N
Plant does not flower in November |
D
Plant does not flower in December |
| Divide | ||||||||||||
| Divide |
J
Do not Divide in January |
F
Do not Divide in February |
M
Do Divide in March |
A
Do Divide in April |
M
Do not Divide in May |
J
Do not Divide in June |
J
Do not Divide in July |
A
Do not Divide in August |
S
Do not Divide in September |
O
Do not Divide in October |
N
Do not Divide in November |
D
Do not Divide in December |
| Take cuttings | ||||||||||||
| Take cuttings |
J
Do not Take cuttings in January |
F
Do not Take cuttings in February |
M
Do not Take cuttings in March |
A
Do not Take cuttings in April |
M
Do Take cuttings in May |
J
Do Take cuttings in June |
J
Do not Take cuttings in July |
A
Do not Take cuttings in August |
S
Do not Take cuttings in September |
O
Do not Take cuttings in October |
N
Do not Take cuttings in November |
D
Do not Take cuttings in December |
Penstemon 'Iron Maiden' and wildlife
Penstemon 'Iron Maiden' is known for attracting butterflies/moths. It has nectar/pollen rich flowers.
Does not attract Bees
Does not attract Beneficial insects
Does not attract Birds
Attractive to Butterflies/Moths
Does not attract Other pollinators
Is Penstemon 'Iron Maiden' poisonous?
Penstemon 'Iron Maiden' has no toxic effects reported.
No reported toxicity to Birds
No reported toxicity to Cats
No reported toxicity to Dogs
No reported toxicity to Horses
No reported toxicity to Livestock
No reported toxicity to People
Plants that go well with Penstemon 'Iron Maiden'
