Botanical Name: Penstemon digitalis 'Husker Red'
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Common Name: Husker Red Penstemon  
Plant photo of: Penstemon digitalis 'Husker Red'
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Water Saving Tip:

Fix leaking sprinklers, valves, and pipes.

One broken spray sprinkler can waste 10 gallons per minute - or 100 gallons in a typical 10 minute watering cycle.

  • Anatomy

  • Culture

  • Design

Plant Type

Perennial

 

Height Range

1-3'

 

Flower Color

Pink, White

 

Flower Season

Summer

 

Leaf Color

Bronze, Purple, Red

 

Bark Color

n/a

 

Fruit Color

Black

 

Fruit Season

Summer, Fall

Sun

Full

 

Water

Medium

 

Growth Rate

Moderate

 

Soil Type

Sandy, Clay, Loam

 

Soil Condition

Average, Rich, Poor, Well-drained, Dry

 

Soil pH

Neutral

 

Adverse Factors

n/a

Design Styles

English Cottage, Meadow, Mediterranean, Ranch, Spanish

 

Accenting Features

Unusual Foliage

 

Seasonal Interest

Spring, Summer, Fall

 

Location Uses

Perennial Border

 

Special Uses

Cut Flowers

 

Attracts Wildlife

Hummingbirds

Information by: Stephanie Duer
Photographer: wrong photo

  • Description

  • Notes

Husker Red is a tall, clump-forming penstemon. the "red" refers to the foliage, which ranges from deep burgundy to dirty bronze, and even dusky green - source really matters here! Flowers are white,though sometimes with a pink blush, blooming mid-spring to early summer. Seeds are gloriously shiny and black. Select plants with great foliage color. Grows 2 to 3 feet tall and 1 to 2 feet wide. Husker Red, by the way, was found in a backyard just outside of Lincoln, Nebraska; some thought it just a weed. There's a parable in there somewhere...
Penstemon need well draining soil, and will grow in sandy loam to clay loam, as long as it drains. Full sun is necessary to keep the best foliage color. Cut back in late winter.