Penstemon Twizzle Purple

First-year-flowering, plants have strong upright stems and long airy spikes with vibrant purple tubular flowers. Excellent garden performance with well-established plants fairly drought tolerant and winter hardy. Pollinator friendly and fabulous for height in garden borders.

Penstemon barbatus ‘Twizzle Purple’ is a striking perennial known for its tall, elegant spikes of tubular, deep purple flowers that bloom from early summer into autumn. This variety combines bold colour with a slender, upright habit, making it ideal for cut flower gardens, borders and wildlife-friendly plantings. With flower stems reaching up to 70–90 cm, ‘Twizzle Purple’ stands tall without flopping, providing strong vertical interest and a reliable source of nectar for bees, butterflies, and hummingbird moths.

In floral arrangements, the long stems and bell-shaped blooms of Penstemon add both height and texture. The flowers last well when cut in bud stage and brought indoors.

Once seedlings are large enough, transplant them into individual pots, then harden off before planting outdoors after the last frost. Space plants 25–30 cm apart in full sun and well-drained soil. Though drought-tolerant once established, occasional deep watering will encourage prolonged flowering Deadhead spent blooms to encourage repeat flowering and cut back in autumn after flowering is finished.