Riding Hood Purple, also known as Spectabilis Schmidel or Beardtongue, is a perennial flowering plant native to the United States. This cultivar offers an upright, compact habit of 24-30" tall and 18-24" wide, with tubular purple flowers blooming on green foliage all summer. Perennial in zone 5-9, this hardy plant thrives in full sun with occasional water. Bring hummingbirds and butterflies to cutting gardens, landscape borders, and containers by showcasing this classic wildflower or planting it in masses. Deer-resistant and drought-tolerant, Penstemon adds color and texture to the landscape. For a vibrant show of color, grow Purple alongside Riding Hood Delfts Blue and Riding Hood Red.
Riding Hood Purple Selling Tips
Sell Riding Hood Purple to customers looking for a low-maintenance perennial for a cutting garden or landscape border. This plant offers many benefits, including resisting deer, attracting pollinators, and tolerating drought. Trumpet-shaped flowers bloom in summer on upright, compact foliage. This perennial plant is hardy to zone 5, bringing color to sunny areas without adding to garden maintenance. Create an attractive landscape by growing Riding Hood Purple alongside Panicum, Echinacea, Perovskia, and Sedum.
Coach Your Customer
1. Space plants 18-20" apart in well-drained soil in full sun.
2. Water once a week or more often in dry, hot weather and less often in rainy weather.
General Growing Tips For Your Rooted Cutting Liner
For best results with Riding Hood Purple, plant one rooted plug per 6-inch container or three per 10-inch container. Start small containers in January and large ones in September. Use a well-drained soil with a pH of 5.5-7.0, average daytime temperatures of 70 degrees and nighttime temperatures of 50 degrees, and light feed (75-125 ppm N). This plant doesn't require pinching, PGRs, or vernalization. Move plants outdoors for more light intensity once temperatures are above 50 degrees at night. Grow this plant in full sun to avoid leaf spot and mildew, which can develop in the shade.
Flowering
Purple flowers bloom in summer.
Pinching
This plant doesn't require pinching.
Spacing
Space containers for adequate airflow and sunlight penetration around the base of each plant.
Height Control
This plant doesn't require PGRs.
Pests
This plant isn't prone to pests.
Disease
This plant isn't prone to disease when it grows in full sun. If this plant grows in the shade leaf spot and mildew can develop.
Planting Riding Hood Purple Liners
We recommend planting one rooted liner per 6-inch or gallon container or three liners per 10-inch container. Use a well-drained soil and completely bury the ellepots centered or evenly spaced in the containers. One gallon and 6-inch containers finish in 12 weeks and should be started in January. Ten-inch containers take 30 weeks to finish and should be started in September for spring sales.
Rooted Cuttings
Cuttings vary in size between different plant families. These rooted starter plants will arrive ready to be transplanted in to your final container. If they are to be used in a landscape application, you will need to establish them in a 4 inch pot or an 1801 before planting outside.
Penstemon Riding Hood Purple Quick Reference Guide
| Bloom Period | Summer |
|---|
| Color | Purple |
|---|
| Habit | Upright |
|---|
| Height | 24-30 Inches |
|---|
| Light | Full Sun |
|---|
| Minimum Temp | 50 |
|---|
| Perennial Zone | 5-9 |
|---|
| Water Needs | Light |
|---|
| Patented Plant | Yes |
|---|
