The fabulous "Umbrella Plant", a giant saxifrage relative, is an absolutely superb specimen that starts off with truly gorgeous sprays of flowers in shades of pink, on thick stems in earliest spring. Only later does it push up neat umbrella-like leaves, rather like a gunnera but not as large or sprawling. This stunning waterside plant is especially wonderful in the waters edge, or where it can be allowed to grow large, although it can do perfectly well in a dryish garden!. ... Learn More

A rare, choice and handsome plant found only in damp, semi-shady places in mountain woodland on the Japanese island of Honshu. Here it grows a mass of handsome foliage consisting of large, long-stalked, polished, shield-shaped leaves. In early summer, heads of unusual and attractive, creamy-white to greenish-yellow shuttlecock flowers open. A fabulous plant for a shady border or woodland garden. ... Learn More

This fabulous member of the saxifrage family is a rare and very choice woodland perennial from Japan (Shikoku and Kyushu), with attractive foliage and flowers. In spring the reddish-tinted young leaves emerge and slowly expand into impressive, very deeply-cut, green saucer-like leaves, on strong stems. Later in summer, numerous pale creamy yellow flowers open, hanging pendulously, and facing outwards like shuttlecocks. Although it prefers rich, moist woodland soils, it is surprisingly easy to grow and drought-tolerant. ... Learn More

This stout beauty displays showy, dense, terminal racemes with large, rich blue flowers, above broad lanceolate leaves. It is a native of rocky sites in sub alpine regions in Wyoming and Colorado, where it lives at elevations up to 6,000 feet. ... Learn More

Flowers are almost foxglove-like in appearance,though on a small scale, in shades of pink- red with white throats. A real magnet for pollinators, especially bumblebees, with a long flowering period from May right through to September. A popular choice for traditional cottage gardens, as well as more informal beds and borders. Prefers full sun or partial shade with well-drained soil. ... Learn More

This lovely blue-purple penstemon with thick bluish green leaves is native to the foothills and middle elevations of the Sierras where it thrives in sun to part shade with good drainage. It is drought tolerant and more importantly, one of the more garden tolerant ones. Refined, neat, and tidy, in warmer countries it will attract hummingbirds if you place it on or in a rock wall ... Learn More

Penstemon caespitosus forms can vary from around 2" to 6", making a low compact clump, which produces countless white-throated, purple-blue tubular flowers on short stems in spring and early summer. Fabulous on a rockery! ... Learn More

This very rare but surprisingly easy-to-grow species, bears densely crowded spikes of a true lemon-yellow, making it the only genuinely yellow penstemon. In the wild it grows locally in moist open or wooded places, sometimes in meadows or by streams, and in lowlands and foothills in the Rockies, as well as in Montana and Alberta to British Columbia, Oregon and the Wenatchees of Washington. Very few seeds collected. ... Learn More

A very desirable plant, with dense, compact, spreading mats of tiny green leaves carrying heads of large violet snapdragon flowers in early summer. It looks good whether trailing over the edge of a stone trough or in a selected spot on the rock garden in sun and well-drained soil. ... Learn More

New and discovered here! Sprays of lilac-pink tubular flowers open on shortish stems clad in golden yellow leaves, which age to burnished bronze in bright sunshine, and incredibly do not scorch in the sun. This extremely lovely plant was discovered here as a foliage sport some years ago, and subsequent seedlings slowly re-selected until the plants come acceptably true from seed. A brand new and novel foliage penstemon, and possibly the best discovery since the darker leaved variety, Husker's Red, was discovered, with which it makes a perfect companion. One image shows both for comparison. ... Learn More

Beetroot-coloured stems and foliage form a superb background to the swaying stems of rosy-lipped, palest pastel pink tubular flowers. This imposing and unusual-coloured foliage plant may be seen at its best where it can contrast with other paler flowers. ... Learn More

Prized for its elegant pink, white lipped tubular flowers set against a vibrant burgundy foliage, 'Ruby Dusk' is a real show stopper! The foliage maintains its rich, dark color throughout the growing season, providing a stunning contrast to the bright pinkish-purple blooms that appear in late spring to mid-summer. These nectar-rich flowers attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, making it a pollinator-friendly choice for sunny borders or rock gardens. Thriving in full sun and well-drained soils, Penstemons are drought-tolerant, low-maintenance plants ideal for xeriscaping or mixed pere ... Learn More

Two-lipped lavender flowers with long purple hairy stamens open in June to September. This scarce, drought-tolerant plant, that attracts butterflies and bees, is perfect for a hot garden or a rocky or sandy, very well-drained spot. ... Learn More

The "Glaucous Beardtongue" grows on dry forested slopes on the Western coast of the USA, where it covers the ground with low, glaucous-leaved hummocks bearing true-blue, yellow-bearded flowers, in tight trusses. ... Learn More

Native to the eastern Canada and the United States, this attractive and-easy-to-grow perennial species has hairy stems (hence its species name, hirsutus) bearing leaves which are opposite and stalkless. Numerous purple-blue and white trumpet flowers open over an extended period in early and mid summer. This is a very versatile penstemon for full sun to full shade and medium wet to dry soils. ... Learn More