Penstemon 'Papal Purple'

Grow in fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun or light shade in a position sheltered from frosts and drying winds; in autumn protect with a dry mulch; for more advice, see penstemon cultivation

Deadhead to encourage a longer flowering season; in autumn, cut plants down to about a third of their height to prevent windrock but leave some protection from frosts; in late spring or early summer after new growth appears and after frosts are over, cut out old stems

Propagate by softwood cuttings in early summer or semi-ripe cuttings in midsummer

May be affected by slugs and snails, and leaf and bud eelworms

Generally disease-free but may be affected by powdery mildews and grey moulds