Stefan Drew investigates why the Victorians adored Penstemons

It is easy to see why the Victorians adored penstemons, planted penstemons in Sidmouth, and why we are still growing them here today. They flower from May to November, are easy to grow, are resistant to slugs and all but the very worst drought.

Penstemons are native to Central and North America where they are found from northern Guatemala to Canada. It is said that every state in mainland US has at least one species of penstemon.

The penstemon glories in its profusion of tubular flowers that range in colour from pure white to bright blue, bright red, deep purple pale orange-pink and virtually every shade in between. There is even one species that has a pale yellow flower and breeders have developed a bright yellow variety.

In their native habitat penstemons are perennials, either deciduous or evergreen, and can be found everywhere from the plains to the mountains. There are now over 250 species listed plus a range of hybrids and named varieties. Plenty for everyone.

The Penstemon's history goes way back into antiquity and some Native Americans traditionally used the root to relieve toothache. The first scientific recording of the penstemon was by Dr John Mitchell, who recorded his first penstemon in 1748.

In 1753 a further species was discovered and, as the frontiers rolled back, more and more species were discovered. In the 1820s Scottish plant hunter, David Douglas, better known for the Douglas fir, discovered 18 new species along the west coast of America. By the 1830s the penstemon was being hybridised in France and in 1861 were entered into trials held by the RHS. Penstemons were highly regarded by the Victorians and remained in favour until the period between the wars. With a generation of gardeners lost in the fields of France the penstemon fell out of favour.

As well as a declining labour force, part of the reason was that the penstemons grown at that time were mainly derived from Mexican species, and were not frost hardy. Even today, although hardier, the penstemon can be lost to heavy frosts, but fortunately, these are not as severe these days and the penstemon is easy to raise from cuttings taken during the growing season.

There are three national collections of penstemons in the UK and the collection at Pershore College was started in 1992. It comprises 100 named species and cultivars. Pride of place must go to the sixteen Pershore hybrids. Bob Hares, who I was to later work with, was the collection keeper at the time. Bob selected the first Pershore Penstemon, "Pershore Pink Necklace" in 1994. New introductions are still being made with "Deidre Haxton" and "Pershore Pink Lady", introduced in 2007, being two of the most notable.

There is another Pershore connection to the penstemon. Edward Wilson, a former Pershore student, from Pensham, who raised a number of hardier, large-flowered varieties.

Named after friends and family, they include the mauve-pink 'Pensham Miss Wilson', which celebrates Edward's daughter becoming a teacher, and 'Pensham Just Jayne', which has deep rose-pink flowers with a magenta eye. Other "Pensham" varieties include "Amelia Jane", "Blackberry Ice", "Blueberry Ice', "Eleanor Young', Loganberry Ice' and Wedding Day'.

Developed in Worcestershire, these hybrids are now often found for sale in the USA and are famed there to the extent that in 2000 the American Penstemon Society came to the UK and visited the National Collection at Pershore College. I aim to grow a number of Pershore and Pensham hybrids in my Sidmouth garden in the next few years.

With many hardier varieties available today, and with the advent of milder winters, plants can be left in situ all year, where not pruning the plant until spring helps protect new shoots from the frost. This is especially so here as the coastal weather is kinder than that inland. Some varieties, like 'Garnet', survived the winter of 1981 when temperatures inland dropped to minus 20 degrees C. Winter wet is a bigger problem than low temperatures so take special care if you garden on a cold heavy clay soil where you will need to take the precaution of taking cuttings.

The beauty of penstemons is closely followed by its versatility. It does well when planted as a bedding plant. This was how the Victorians favoured planting their penstemons. As earlier flowering plants struggle to flower into June, penstemons are also useful to fill the "June gap". A hard prune, in May, often known as the Chelsea Chop, will also produce later flowers. Alternatively plant them later in the year to add colour to the borders in September, October and maybe even November. Keep a few plants in large pots, ready to drop into any gaps in the border as the season progresses.

Penstemons tolerate dry conditions once well established and grow well close to trees provided they get adequate light. They love sunny positions and thrive on almost any soil.

To propagate penstemons take 3-4 inch soft leafy shoots that have been cut back to a leaf joint, remove the bottom leaves and place in a mix of sand and compost. Very early cuttings will benefit from a little bottom heat but later ones, taken in summer or early autumn can be placed in a cold frame or sheltered spot. Pot them on the following April to plant out from May onwards.

Able to blend into the herbaceous border at any time of year, darker varieties of penstemon can also be planted with tall elegant grasses such as the Golden Oat Grass, Stipa gigantica, where their dark flowers contrast with the lighter golds of the towering grasses. Consider also planting penstemon amongst established shrubs and roses to extend the flowering period of the perennial or shrub border.

I'm looking forward to more penstemon being grown in Sidmouth.

For more gardening tips go to How to Dig for Victory or Garden Flowers, Trees, Shrubs & More on Facebook.