Penstemon digitalis Mystica | Foxglove beardtongue

Penstemon digitalis Mystica, also known as Foxglove Beardtongue, is a stunning perennial that brings a touch of mystical elegance to any garden. With its striking dark foliage and delicate white blooms tinged with a soft lavender blush, Mystica is a garden favorite. This hardy plant attracts butterflies and hummingbirds, making it perfect for pollinator gardens, and it thrives as a long-lasting cut flower.

Mystica forms a neat clump and produces a large flush of flowers in early summer, with the possibility of reblooming in the fall if trimmed. The leaves take on a brilliant red hue in colder temperatures, while in warmer zones, they retain a beautiful purple tint. This plant is ideal for garden borders, containers, and as a backdrop in mixed plantings. It has some drought tolerance once established but performs best with even moisture levels. Deer generally avoid it, though they may browse on it occasionally.

Key Features:

• Attractive to butterflies, hummingbirds, and other pollinators
• Elegant bronze rosettes and a striking mix of lavender-tinged white flowers
• Long-lasting as a cut flower
• Resistant to deer but may occasionally be browsed
• Bright red foliage in colder zones, purple hue in warmer zones

Germination Instructions:

• Sow Time: January-March for green pots; June-August for flowering the following year
• Germination Temperature: 68-72°F (20-22°C). Lightly cover seeds with coarse vermiculite and maintain moist, not saturated, soil.
• Germination Time: 10-15 days

Growing Instructions:

• Transplant plugs 5-8 weeks after sowing into well-drained soil with a pH of 6.2-6.8.
• Grow plants in temperatures between 55-65°F (13-18°C).
• Fertilize weekly with a 2-1-2 mix of 200 ppm nitrate nitrogen.
• Vernalization (cold treatment) is required for flowering.

Growing Medium:

• Well-drained substrate with 15-30% clay, 0-20% parts (e.g., bark, perlite, sand), and balanced fertilization (complete balanced fertilizer and slow-release fertilizer).
• pH: 5.8-6.2, sandy humus soils with good drainage are ideal. Standard fertilization is 80-100 g/m² of slow-release fertilizer.

Height:

• Grows to a height of 75 cm (30 inches)

Exposure:

• Prefers full sun to partial shade.

Hardiness Zone:

• Suitable for zones 4a-8b, Heat Zones 9-1.

Best Uses:

• Perfect for bedding, cut flower production, container plants, and mixed garden borders. Attracts bees, butterflies, and other beneficial pollinators.

Crop Time:

• Spring: 25-26 weeks to maturity.

Ideal For:
Adding mystical charm and pollinator-friendly beauty to your garden with long-lasting flowers and vibrant foliage!