Cardinal Penstemon

(24-36 tall x 15-18 wide) Cardinal Penstemon is a must for the pollinator garden, attracting hummingbirds with its mid-summer display of dark red tubular flowers. A husky plant with big dark green leaves and tall flower spikes, this perennial fits nicely in the back of the border. One of the latest blooming Beardtongues, its a nice companion to plant with earlier blooming varieties, such as Penstemon strictus and Penstemon eatonii, to keep the hummingbirds and bumblebees well-fed with nectar. Plant it in a sunny spot with infertile sandy or loam soil. Deer, rabbit, and gopher resistant. Other recommended companion plants include Silver Spike Grass (Achnatherum), Little Bluestem Grass (Schizachyrium), Prairie Coneflower (Ratibida), and Black Eyed Susan (Rudbekcia).