Catherine de la Mare penstemon is a beautiful electric blue perennial that should be in every sunny garden. This small type of penstemon brightens up borders and containers with its bright flowers and long bloom season. Find out how to grow and take care of this beautiful plant by reading on.
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
The famous British plant breeder Beth Chatto created this variety by crossing the native North American species Penstemon digitalis with Penstemon ‘Dark Towers.’ This made a compact penstemon with bright blue flowers that lasts longer. The cultivar name is in honor of Catherine de la Mare, who was 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
It looks great with warm colors like orange, red, and yellow because of its electric blue color. Try partnering with gaillardia, poppies, daylilies, or coral bells. It gets along well with early, mid, and late bloomers because its bloom season is long.
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?
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. Place: It should be in a sunny, protected area that gets at least half a day of full sun every day in the 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’. To live up to its common name, “Foothill penstemon,” this plant covers hillsides with violet-blue flowers that look like tubes and glossy, lance-shaped leaves.
Who was Penstemon ‘Catherine de la Mare’?
Penstemon ‘Catherine de la Mare’ was named after Richard de la Mare’s wife. In the 1950s, he found it in his garden in Hertfordshire, England. David Way wrote about it in his book 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.