Penstemons produce foxglove-like flowers, which look fantastic in informal and cottage garden schemes, and are extremely attractive to bumblebees.
They thrive in full sun to partial shade, in moist but well-drained soil. Many penstemon varieties are hardy in all but the harshest winters, but do move plants under cover or take summer cuttings if you want to make sure your plants will last through winter.
Penstemon ‘Catherine de la Mere’ bears pretty, lilac blue, tubular, flowers from June to September. Its ideal for growing at the front of a sunny border, or in pots on the patio. Plants are tender so need to be protected over winter if they are to survive. If plants do survive, cut plants back to ground level in spring to promote fresh growth.
Catherine de la Mare penstemon is an eye-catching electric blue perennial that deserves a spot in any sunny garden. This compact penstemon variety lights up borders and containers with its long bloom season and vivid floral display. Read on to learn all about growing and caring for this stunning plant.
Overview of Catherine de la Mare Penstemon
Catherine de la Mare penstemon is a low-growing, mounding penstemon cultivar that reaches just 12-18 inches tall and wide. It produces an abundance of tubular, two-lipped flowers in electrifying shades of blue flushed with purple The blooms appear in late spring and continue over a long season into summer
This variety was bred by renowned British plantswoman Beth Chatto She crossed the North American native species Penstemon digitalis with Penstemon ‘Dark Towers’ to create a compact penstemon with vivid blue blooms and improved longevity The cultivar name honors Catherine de la Mare, a friend of Beth Chatto.
In addition to its floral display, Catherine de la Mare penstemon has attractive lance-shaped green foliage. The leaves remain evergreen in mild winter climates. Overall, this penstemon has a tidy, bushy habit perfect for border fronts.
Growing Conditions
Catherine de la Mare penstemon thrives in the following conditions:
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Sun: Full sun is ideal, but light afternoon shade is tolerated. Needs at least 6 hours of direct sun per day.
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Soil: Average, well-draining soil is best. Avoid overly wet or dry soils.
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pH: Soil pH between 6.5-7.5 is optimal. Tolerates slightly alkaline soils.
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Water: Moderate, even moisture. Allow soil to partly dry out between waterings.
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Hardiness: USDA zones 5-9. Winter hardy to -20°F.
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Size: Typically reaches 12-18 inches tall and 12-24 inches wide.
How to Use in the Landscape
This compact penstemon is perfect for:
- Edging pathways, beds, and borders
- Tucking into rock gardens
- Planting in small groupings or drifts
- Adding to mixed containers
- Incorporating into pollinator and butterfly gardens
Its electric blue color looks fantastic combined with warm hues like orange, red, and yellow. Try partnering with gaillardia, poppies, daylilies, or coral bells. The long bloom season also allows it to mingle nicely with early, mid, and late bloomers.
Planting and Care
Follow these tips for growing a thriving Catherine de la Mare penstemon:
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Plant in spring after the last frost. Space plants 12-18 inches apart.
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Prepare soil by mixing in compost or aged manure before planting.
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Water new plantings regularly until established. Mature plants are quite drought tolerant.
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Pinch or shear plants by 1/3 after initial spring flowering to encourage reblooming.
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Deadhead spent blooms to maintain a tidy appearance.
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Mulch around plants to retain moisture and reduce weeds.
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Lightly fertilize with balanced organic fertilizer in early spring.
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Divide congested clumps every 2-3 years in spring to rejuvenate plants.
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Monitor for pests like slugs and powdery mildew. Treat promptly if issues arise.
Propagation
You can easily propagate this penstemon by:
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Division: Divide clumps in early spring and replant divisions 12-15 inches apart.
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Cuttings: Take 3-4 inch tip cuttings in early summer. Dip in rooting hormone and plant in potting mix. Keep moist until rooted.
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Seed: Collect seeds in fall. Sow indoors 8-10 weeks before last spring frost. Slower to establish than division or cuttings.
Companion Planting
Catherine de la Mare penstemon partners well with many perennials, including:
- Catmint
- Coral bells
- Bee balm
- Russian sage
- Lavender
- Salvia
- Veronica
- Blanket flower
- Daylilies
- Coreopsis
- Purple coneflower
It also complements grasses, roses, and annuals like marigolds or zinnias.
Why Grow Catherine de la Mare Penstemon
Here are some of the best reasons to grow Catherine de la Mare penstemon:
- Long bloom season from late spring into summer
- Vivid electric blue flower color
- Compact, mounding form ideal for borders and containers
- Attracts pollinators like hummingbirds and bees
- Tolerant of heat, humidity, and some drought
- Deer and rabbit resistant
- Hardy in zones 5-9
- Low maintenance and easy care
For stunning color over an extended bloom time in a petite package, you can’t go wrong with Catherine de la Mare penstemon. Add a few of these compact perennials to your sunny gardens and enjoy their dazzling floral display lighting up your landscape.
Penstemon ‘Catherine de la mare’ and wildlife
Penstemon ‘Catherine de la mare’ is known for attracting bees. It has nectar/pollen rich flowers.
California Native Plant Haul November 2023
FAQ
How do you care for Penstemon Catherine de la Mare?
- Position: Plant in full sun for best flowering, though it will tolerate light shade. …
- Planting: Space plants 40–50cm apart to allow good air circulation. …
- Watering: Once established, Penstemon is drought-tolerant, requiring only occasional deep watering in dry periods.
Where is the best place to plant penstemons?
Where & when to plant Penstemon. Position – A sunny, sheltered spot is ideal (with at least half a day of full sun each day during spring and summer). Penstemon will thank you for plenty of elbow room, i.e., not grown too close to other plants. Soil – Any fertile, well-draining soil.
Do penstemon plants like full sun or shade?
Penstemons thrive in areas with full to partial sun and well-draining soil. What goes well with Penstemon? Penstemons pair well with a variety of plants that have similar growing requirements.
Is penstemon an invasive plant?
Environmental Concerns: Penstemon species establish and spread slowly via seed distribution. They are not considered “weedy” or invasive species, but can spread into adjoining vegetative communities under ideal climatic and environmental conditions.
What does Penstemon heterophyllus ‘Catherine de la Mare’ look like?
Penstemon heterophyllus ‘Catherine de la Mare’ has gorgeous bell-shaped tubular flowers throughout summer, which are a blend of blue and purple.
Is this California native Penstemon ‘Catherine de la Mare’?
This week we are featuring a gorgeous California native called Penstemon heterophyllus ‘Catherine de la Mare’. True to its common name ‘Foothill penstemon’, this plant decorates hillsides with tubular violet-blue blooms and glossy green lance-shaped foliage.
Who was Penstemon ‘Catherine de la Mare’?
Penstemon ‘Catherine de la Mare’ was named after Richard de la Mare’s wife. It was found in his garden in Hertfordshire, England, in the 1950’s, as recounted in David Way’s Gardener’s Guide to Growing Penstemon.
Is Catherine de la Mare a perennial?
‘Catherine de la Mare’ has gorgeous bell-shaped tubular flowers throughout summer, which are a blend of blue and purple. It is a semi-evergreen perennial with blue-green narrow linear foliage and a low spreading growth habit. Do not be tempted to cut this perennial down before the winter, leave the top growth to protect it.