Penstemon digitalis 'Husker Red' is one of my favourite perennials ever. I have a small area of them now - I used to have lots and lots in quite a few spots around the garden.
'Husker Red' is a clump-forming plant that grows 2-3' high. In the spring, all that's visible at first are its dark burgundy leaves.
White flowers with a faint pink blush appear on long, erect stalks in late spring to early summer. They make fabulous cut flowers for vases. People need to touch them to believe they are real - they look like silk.
The tubular flowers attract butterflies and birds.
'Husker Red' grows in average soil, dry to medium moisture soil. It must be in full sun.
Penstemon 'Husker Red' has no serious pest or disease problems. It looks wonderful when massed.
No wonder it won Perennial Plant of the Year in 1996.
