Catherine de la Mare Penstemon

Catherine de la Mare Penstemon (Penstemon 'Catherine de la Mare') is an elegant, floriferous perennial penstemon prized for its profuse display of tubular blue flowers that open to rich purple as they mature — creating a beautiful, ever-shifting two-toned color effect throughout the long bloom season. A compact, well-branched selection, 'Catherine de la Mare' produces dense wands of bloom on upright stems above narrow, semi-evergreen foliage, bringing refined cottage garden beauty and outstanding pollinator value to the sunny border. Its manageable size and tidy habit make it one of the most garden-friendly penstemon selections available for mixed perennial plantings.

These Professional Grade 4" plants are grown to the highest nursery standards, producing vigorous root systems that establish quickly and return reliably each season. Catherine de la Mare Penstemon thrives in full sun to light shade with excellent drainage and is notably drought tolerant once established — a natural fit for Mediterranean-style gardens, cottage borders, rock gardens, and pollinator plantings. Its tubular flowers are perfectly shaped to attract hummingbirds and bumblebees throughout the generous bloom season.

• Blue-to-Purple Two-Toned Blooms: Tubular flowers open in rich blue and fade to deep purple as they mature, creating a beautiful shifting two-toned color display across the plant throughout the long bloom season.
• Outstanding Hummingbird & Pollinator Plant: Tubular flowers are perfectly designed for hummingbird feeding and attract bumblebees, native bees, and butterflies throughout the generous bloom season.
• Drought Tolerant Once Established: A naturally drought-resilient perennial that thrives with minimal supplemental irrigation once its root system is established — ideal for water-wise and low-maintenance garden designs.
• Compact & Garden-Friendly Habit: Well-branched, upright habit stays tidy and manageable without excessive pruning, making it an easy-care addition to mixed perennial borders and cottage garden plantings.
• Long Bloom Season: Generous bloom production from late spring through summer with potential for repeat flowering in fall when lightly cut back after the first flush — providing months of refined color and pollinator activity.

These 4" healthy live plants thrive in full sun to light shade with well-drained to dry soil. Water regularly until established, then reduce to occasional deep watering. Hardy in USDA Zones 6–9; mature height 18–24 inches with a spread of 18–24 inches. Blooms late spring through summer (May–August), with potential repeat bloom in fall. Cut back by one-third after the main bloom flush to encourage a second flowering. Excellent for cottage gardens, mixed perennial borders, rock gardens, and pollinator plantings.