“Husker Red” Penstemon
“Husker Red” is a hybrid perennial bred from Penstemon and Digitalis or Foxglove. Penstemon, a southwestern desert plant, grows best in gardens without automatic watering systems so the drought plants do not perform well in every garden. The new hybrid caused a sensation in the gardening world for here was a Perennial with rich dark red foliage that blooms in sun or shade in average watered gardens and adds a dramatic contrast to a garden’s sea of green with its elegant red foliage. “Husker” became so popular it won the Perennial Plant of the Year Award for the year 1996.
“Husker” seems a perfect perennial but the University of Nebraska or the “Huskers” who hybridized this superb plant wanted to improve this excellent perennial and a new “Husker” Penstemon with even more perfect foliage was introduced. It is called “Mystica”
“Mystica” Penstemon
The main difference between the two perennials is that “Mystica’s” foliage is longer lasting and stronger and stays attractive until frost. “Husker’s” foliage looks better if cut back after it blooms.
Both perennials have distinctive foliage that forms an attractive, sturdy clump. The flowers are showy spikes, topped with pink-blushed white, typical Penstemon and Foxglove trumpets. The trumpet arrangement guides hummingbirds and pollinators into the flower’s inner pistils while it brushes against the bloom’s bristly inner edges giving Penstemon the common name of Beard Tongue. Allowing the Penstemon seeds to drop into the garden to be vernalized over winter will result in new spring starts for Penstemon is not known for its longevity.
These hybrid perennials have a strong tendency to stay evergreen and are frost-resistant, a valuable trait when living in the mountain valleys. “Husker Red and “Mystica” are must-have perennials for every garden.
The following video, produced by gardensplendor.com shows masses of Penstemon. You’ll get a great view of this beautiful foliage.
