'Midnight Masquerade' Beardtongue Penstemon hybrid

I trialed two of these as part of a water conservation native plant collection 2 years ago in Athens, Georgia. They were large plants when planted, and they survived very well during drought as well as the 11 degree cold this past winter. The attractive purple foliage remains all winter, then new foliage appears with the flower stalks in spring - it is lovely all year round. The voracious deer haven't touched it. This one is a definite 'winner', and more will be planted in the pollinator garden.

This plant has been gorgeous this spring/early summer! I planted six last spring, not quite knowing what to expect; they far beat my expectations! They survived two torrential rainstorms last week, one of them dumping 1.5" in less than 1 hour. They are still standing tall and beautiful. All 6 weathered the frigid winter with significant snow accumulation in West Michigan. Several neighbors and friends have stopped to comment on their beauty and ask what they are. I added three more to my collection yesterday and will most likely add more. They look brilliant behind Appletini Heuchera and in front go Lemony Lace Elderberry!

I bought this plant last summer in a medium size can after months of admiring it garden answer videos. It put on a small show but I mostly enjoyed it for its foliage. Considering that I planted it during a high heat period, with very little rain it held its own; but the bed that its in is full of white-petaled penstemon that were here when I moved in, so I was confident of the conditions. This spring I was delighted to see much larger clump than I planted emerge from its winter slumber. The wine colored foliage truly stands out. The delicate violet blooms are absolutely gorgeous. I love this plant and I’m looking for other places to tuck her in.

I planted this plant for the first time last year. It was beautiful, but couldn't withstand the cold during the winter. If I plant it again, which I very well may, I'll treat it as an annual.