Product Description
Penstemon 'Onyx and Pearls' PP32613 (25) Bare Root Plants
Common Name: Beardtongue
Named after two polar opposite colors of gemstones, onyx is in reference to its dark foliage and pearls refers to its soft lavender flowers with white interiors. From a distance, the flowers look white. Compared to 'Blackbeard', this is a taller, fuller plant with lighter colored flowers.
Like all of our Penstemons, this one takes the heat and humidity in stride but is also very cold hardy. It continues to provide terrific color in the landscape all season long.
Penstemons are very drought tolerant perennials that are easy to grow and are rarely bothered by insects or diseases. Plant them in full sun and watch as hummingbirds feast on their delicious nectar.
Penstemons should be grown in full sun and very well-drained soil to avoid root rot. Soil fertility need only be average, but a light mulch in winter is recommended. Use Penstemons in the border, for naturalizing, and for cut flowers.
Height: 42.0 Inches
Spread: 38.0-42.0 Inches
Hardiness Zones: 3,4,5,6,7,8
Flower Color: White Shades / Pink shades
Foliage Color: Near-black shades
Full Sun (> 6 hrs. Direct Sun)
Low to Average Water Needs
Average to Fertile Soil Quality
Bloomtime: Early Summer to Midsummer
Attracts Hummingbirds
Bee Friendly
Growth Rate: Medium
Border Plant, Cut Flower, Drought Tolerant, Easy To Grow, Attractive Foliage, Mass Planting, Salt Tolerant, Focal Point
Penstemon 'Onyx and Pearls' is a cultivar of the Penstemon digitalis species, commonly known as foxglove beardtongue or tall white beardtongue. This herbaceous perennial is native to the eastern United States and is a popular choice for gardeners due to its striking foliage and beautiful flowers. It is a good choice for beginners.
Characteristics Penstemon 'Onyx and Pearls' is named for its contrasting dark foliage and light flowers. The "onyx" refers to the plant's deep purple to almost black leaves, while "pearls" describes its soft lavender flowers with white interiors. From a distance, the flowers look white. It grows up to 42 inches tall and 38-42 inches wide. The flowers appear from early summer through to mid-autumn. The flowers are pale purple to nearly white and are attractive to hummingbirds and butterflies. It attracts scores of hummingbirds, butterflies, and other beneficial pollinators. The foliage stays lush through the summer heat. It is a taller, fuller plant with lighter-colored flowers compared to 'Blackbeard'. This cultivar typically grows 3-5' tall with a similar spread. It has strong, erect stems with clusters of trumpet-shaped flowers. The tubular flowers are held on terminal, branched panicles above the dark purple foliage. It is a tetraploid with 44 chromosomes, making it a bigger, stronger plant. It is deer resistant. It is suitable for perennial borders, naturalizing, and cut flowers. It is generally pest and disease free. It was selected from second-generation, self-crossed seedlings of Penstemon digitalis 'Pocahontas'. This plant is protected by patent number PP32613.
Bloom Time Penstemon 'Onyx and Pearls' blooms early to mid-summer. The bloom time for this variety is April to June.
Growing Conditions Penstemon 'Onyx and Pearls' is best grown in average, dry to medium moisture, well-drained soil in full sun. It requires full sun to develop and maintain its dark purple leaf coloration. It prefers full sun for best flowering and foliage color. It is tolerant of occasional drought and inundation once established. It can be grown in clay soils but avoid overly wet, poorly drained conditions. It is hardy in zones 3-8. It can take heat and humidity but is also very cold hardy. It is very drought tolerant once established. It continues to provide terrific color in the landscape all season long. It is drought and salt tolerant. Space plants about 38 to 42 inches apart for good air circulation. Cut back plants almost to the ground in late winter to early spring as soon as new growth appears. It is suitable for rain gardens. May be subject to root rot in wet, poorly-drained soils. Tidy any winter-damaged growth in early spring. It has good drought tolerance. If desired, apply a general-purpose garden fertilizer in early spring. No special care is needed for winterizing.
Companion Plants Penstemon 'Onyx and Pearls' pairs well with other plants that love heat and drought. Some companion plants include:
- Amsonia 'Starstruck'
- Clematis 'Stand by Me'
- Dianthus 'Paint the Town Fuchsia'
- Paeonia 'Bartzella'
- Salvia 'Midnight Model'
- Butterfly milkweed
- Coneflowers (Echinacea species)
- Blanketflower
- False Sunflower
- Blazingstars
- Rudbeckia 'American Gold Rush'
- Aster 'Raydon's Favorite'
- Baptisia
- Purple Prairie Clover
- Mountain Mint
- Russian Sage
- Salvias
- Dianthus
Uses Penstemon 'Onyx and Pearls' has many uses in the garden. It is an excellent choice for:
- Wildlife gardens
- Native plant gardens
- Cottage gardening
- Foundation planting
- Massing
- Naturalizing
- Specimen planting
- Cut flower gardens
- Pollinator gardens
- Rain gardens
- Dry soils
- Cold tolerant gardens
- Attracting pollinators, hummingbirds, butterflies, and other beneficial pollinators
Penstemon 'Onyx and Pearls' is a beautiful and low-maintenance perennial that is a great addition to any garden. Its striking foliage and beautiful flowers make it a standout plant. It is also attractive to pollinators, making it a good choice for those looking to support local wildlife. With its hardiness and drought tolerance, it is an easy plant to grow, even for beginners.
Other Details
The most important part of the plant is its root system. Healthy roots are the foundation of a healthy, vibrant plant. The type of plug container used is based on the specific needs of the plants. Perennials offered as bare root traditionally perform better when planted as bare root.Planted in a specialized mix, potted plants have well established root systems. Top growth stage will vary depending on the current life cycle and time of year when shipped. In Winter and early Spring dormant plants may be shipped. Dormant plants may be planted right away, even before the last frost date.
Most bare root varieties are field grown for at least one season, though Hemerocallis and Hosta are grown for two seasons. The bulk of the soil is removed during the harvesting process and the tops of most varieties are trimmed back to the crown. They are graded, packed in shredded aspen or sphagnum moss and stored in freezers until ready to be shipped.
See our Container Sizes and Bare Root Perennials pages for more information.
Plant information and care is provided in the Overview section, Plant Genus Page and general information is provided in the Planting Care & Guides. Additional questions can be asked on each Plant page.
Plant Spacing: Using the maximum mature spread or width of a plant to guide spacing, ensures space to grow to full size. To fill an area sooner, plant them closer together. Just remember, future thinning or transplanting may be needed.
Water: Keep a close eye on newly planted perennials, especially throughout the first growing year. Most early plant loss is due to too much or too little water!
