Penstemon Husker Red is a stunning perennial plant with bright red flowers and dark burgundy leaves. This beardtongue cultivar does well in USDA zones 3–8 and adds dramatic color to gardens. Penstemon Husker Red is a great choice for perennial borders and wildlife gardens because it grows straight up and blooms for a long time. But growing it with plants that go well with it will really make it shine.
Why Use Companion Plantings?
Companion planting is the art of putting together groups of plants that get along well in the garden to get better growth, pest control, pollination, and other benefits. Here are some of the best reasons to use other plants with Penstemon Husker Red:
- Accentuate its colorful flowers and foliage
- Attract pollinators like bees, butterflies and hummingbirds
- Prolong its bloom period when planted with late-bloomers
- Complement its upright growth habit with low-growing companions
- Repeat its signature flower or foliage colors for harmony
- Maximize garden productivity and plant health
How to Select the Best Companions
Choosing the right companions for Penstemon Husker Red involves considering bloom time, height, color, sunlight and soil needs Here are some excellent companion plant options
Perennials
- Catmint: ‘Walker’s Low’ has purple flowers that complement Husker Red. Drought-tolerant and attracts pollinators.
- Coral bells: ‘Palace Purple’ has dramatic dark purple leaves that match Husker Red. White blooms add contrast.
- Garden phlox: ‘David’ has large clusters of bright white flowers and deep green leaves.
- Coneflower: ‘Magnus’ has bold pink-purple blooms for months of color.
Annuals
- Begonia: ‘Dragon Wing Red’ has scarlet blooms that match Husker Red’s foliage. Thrives in same conditions.
- Salvia: ‘Victoria Blue’ complements Husker Red’s white blooms and red leaves.
- Marigold: ‘Disco’ has coordinating red and white bicolor blooms.
- Zinnia: ‘Magellan White’ attracts butterflies and is mildew resistant.
Ornamental Grasses
- Feather reed grass: ‘Karl Foerster’ provides fine-textured vertical contrast.
- Switch grass: ‘Shenandoah’ has burgundy foliage that harmonizes with Husker Red.
Groundcovers
- Creeping phlox: Forms a carpet of foliage with purple, pink or white spring blooms.
- Lamium: ‘White Nancy’ has silver-green leaves and white flowers that coordinate well.
- Snow-in-summer: Adds fuzzy silver foliage and white blooms as a low companion.
Design Tips for Companion Plantings
Follow these tips when combining Penstemon Husker Red with other plants
- Group at least 3, 5 or 7 plants together for impact. Avoid single specimens.
- Select companions with similar sunlight, water and soil needs.
- Position it near walkways where its fragrant blooms can be appreciated up close.
- Combine varying heights and habits for layered interest.
- Repeat its signature red and white hues.
- Contrast its upright shape with low-growing, mounding plants.
- Use it as a backdrop to shorter bloomers like catmint.
- Juxtapose its fine texture with bolder, broad-leaved companions.
Caring for Companion Plantings
Here is some advice for keeping your Husker Red combinations healthy:
- Provide at least 6 hours of sun for best flowering, especially morning sun.
- Garden in fertile, well-drained soil. Amend as needed.
- Water thoroughly only when soil is partly dry. Avoid overwatering.
- Apply an organic mulch like shredded bark to maintain ideal soil moisture and temperature.
- Stake tall companions like garden phlox if needed for extra support.
- Deadhead spent blooms regularly to encourage continuous flowering.
- Prune companions like catmint after blooming to promote new growth.
- Divide overgrown clumps every 2-3 years to rejuvenate.
Eye-Catching Companion Plant Combinations
Here are a few suggested pairings that allow Penstemon Husker Red to shine:
- Husker Red, Walker’s Low Catmint, Karl Foerster Grass
- Husker Red, Palace Purple Coral Bells, Shenandoah Switch Grass
- Husker Red, Disco Marigolds, Victoria Blue Salvia
- Husker Red, Dragon Wing Red Begonias, White Creeping Phlox
- Husker Red, David Garden Phlox, Snow-in-Summer
With its versatility and colorful display, Penstemon Husker Red complements many other plants. Choose companions with contrasting colors, textures and growth habits to truly highlight its best attributes. Thoughtful companion plantings create a stunning and thriving garden showcase.
Height and Texture Variations
Layering plants adds depth and interest to your garden design. Position taller plants like Echinacea at the back, allowing their daisy-like blooms to stand proud against the backdrop.
In front, place shorter Penstemon to create a lush, textured look. This arrangement not only shows off the unique qualities of each plant, but it also makes sure that each flower has its time in the sun.
By thoughtfully combining colors and heights, you can transform your garden into a vibrant oasis that delights the senses. This method not only improves the look of things but also helps keep the ecosystem healthy, which leads us to the next topic, which is about how to get rid of pests.
How Companion Plants Deter Pests
Companion plants play a crucial role in pest management by repelling harmful insects. For example, aromatic plants like Agastache give off smells that block out the smells that pests are drawn to, effectively creating a barrier around your Penstemon Husker Red.
This natural strategy not only keeps unwanted insects at bay but also encourages beneficial insects to thrive. Ladybugs and lacewings, for example, are drawn to flowers that provide nectar, helping to control pest populations in your garden.
Meet The Perennial Penstemon ‘Husker’s Red’
FAQ
What to plant with Husker Red Penstemon?
Companions for this drought-tolerant gem include oakleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia), dwarf fothergilla (Fothergilla gardenii), Purple Smoke false …
What plants go well with penstemons?
To extend color and textural interest in your garden, select companion plants with similar water needs. My favorites include Artemisia, Agave, Hesperaloe, yarrow, blue flax, orange milkweed, chocolate flower, Colorado four o’clock and dwarf baby blue rabbitbrush.
How big do Husker Red Penstemon get?
‘Husker Red’ typically grows 2-3′ tall. Features white (sometimes with a pink blush), two-lipped, tubular flowers borne in panicles atop erect, rigid stems.
Where is the best place to plant penstemons?
Where to Plant Penstemon. Light: Most Penstemon species do best where they get full sun for at least six to eight hours a day. They need ample sunlight to bloom generously and maintain strong stems.