🐾
In lieu of a printed 2024 catalog,
our new plant offerings have been posted on our website. Please look for the new plant symbol New Plant A printed copy of them will be available upon request.
 

 


Icon Legend

New Plant
New/Featured for 2024

Full Sun
Full Sun

Partial Shade
Partial Shade

Shade Lover
Full Shade

Drought Tolerant
Drought Tolerant

Picture Available
Picture Available

Drawing Available
Drawing Available

(PPAF) = Propagation of this plant prohibited without a license.

Hardiness Zone Map


Penstemon ‘Dark Towers’

Penstemon

Beard Tongue

Among the most exuberantly blooming plants this side of the Mississippi, Penstemon are part of the enchantment of the West. A member of the Snapdragon family, even cultivated varieties retain a natural air, with dainty, long trumpet flowers and 5 (pent) prominent stamens. Stur­dy and easily maintained, species usually range from 1 to 3 ft. tall, and vary in color from white to pink to purple to deep wine red to blue—one for every sunny spot. Trim after the first bloom to encourage a repeat flowering, and cut back in autumn for strong growth next season.

<i>Penstemon</i> ‘Dark Towers’

Well-respected Penstemon breeder Dale Lindgren of the University of Nebraska originally bred ‘Husker’s Red’ and now he brings us ‘Dark Towers’, a remarkable Penstemon ‘Husker’s Red’ and Penstemon ‘Prairie Splendor’ prodigy. A vast improvement over his initial introduction, this resolute hummingbird hero delivers darker lance-shaped, plush burgundy foliage and rigid deep purple stems plus regal upright towers, which are openly arranged with abundant tubular pink flowers. The ultrahardy low-maintenance clump can be added to borders, cottage gardens or informal settings, maintaining its opulent coloration during warm summer weather, but pouting in poorly drained soil. (PP#20,013)

Blooms May–June

Size: 2' 0" – 3' 0" high x 12" – 2' 0" wide.

Hardy to zone 3.

  • Catalog Navigation Menu Top
  • Perennials at Digging Dog Nursery
    • Perennials: Acaena to Anthemis
    • Perennials: Anthriscus to Astrantia
    • Perennials: Baptisia to Cynoglossum
    • Perennials
    • Perennials: Fallopia to Gunnera
    • Perennials: Haloragis to Inula
    • Perennials: Kirengeshoma to Morina
    • Perennials: Nepeta to Pulmonaria
    • Perennials: Rheum to Succisella
    • Perennials: Teucrium to Yucca
  • Ornamental Grasses at Digging Dog Nursery
    • Grasses: Acorus to Deschampsia
    • Grasses: Elymus to Uncinia
  • Shrubs at Digging Dog Nursery
    • Shrubs: Arctostaphylos to Halimiocistus
    • Shrubs: Hebe to Weigela
  • Trees & Vines
  • List by Genus
  • Gift Certificates
  • T-Shirts
  • Gift Cards & Etchings
  • Slideshow
  • Gallery
  • Catalog Navigation Menu Bottom

Latest News

2024 Mini Catalog - free download

2024 Mini Catalog - free download href=https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:US:00cc7679-4430-4d5d-a55a-2c9b98d46c85 download>Download PDF

2024 Mini Catalog - free download

2024 Mini Catalog - free download href=https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:US:00cc7679-4430-4d5d-a55a-2c9b98d46c85 download>

2024 Mini Catalog - free download

2024 Mini Catalog - free download

Visit our pages on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram


Current Staff’s Favorite Plant

Current Staff’s Favorite Plant

Our feature plant: Primula vulgaris ssp. sibthorpii

Precious Primulas, Prized Pulmonarias and Fabulous Foliage!

Primulas offer elaborately-crafted colorful blooms in varied shapes,……

including draped bells, candelabras, drumsticks and pincushions. Many Primrose flowers  waft a delectable scent. Second-to-none for the dappled recesses of your garden, these easily grown, cold-hardy Primulas crave well-drained, humus-rich niches with adequate moisture and good air circulation. They can grace containers or be planted in swaths along shady walkways or in woodland gardens. Be sure to peruse our online Primulas.

Prized Pulmonarias……

One of the earliest perennials to bloom, you can be picking their enchanting urn-shaped flowers in February while the rest of the garden still slumbers. Many cultivars showcase an array of mercury-hued dapples, speckles and spots, while others sport solid pewter sheens or striking silver streaks. Easy-to-grow Pulmonarias prefer the lacy light of a woodland setting plus cool moist soil. Our newsletter also includes a handful of other shade-loving perennials that promise alluring foliage. Many of these perennials can be partnered with Pulmonarias for intriguing foliar contrast. You may wish to check out our online Pulmonaria offerings.

All of us plant and paper wranglers wish you good health and happy digging!

Digging Dog Nursery Right Border