Penstemons have flowers that look like foxgloves. They look great in informal and cottage garden designs and are very appealing to bumblebees.
They thrive in full sun to partial shade, in moist but well-drained soil. Few penstemon varieties don’t do well in even the worst winters. If you want to be sure your plants will make it through the winter, move them indoors or take summer cuttings.
Penstemon ‘Catherine de la Mere’ bears pretty, lilac blue, tubular, flowers from June to September. Its ideal for growing at the front of a sunny border, or in pots on the patio. Plants are tender so need to be protected over winter if they are to survive. If plants do survive, cut plants back to ground level in spring to promote fresh growth. Advertisement.
Gardeners looking to add a pop of vibrant color to their perennial beds or borders should consider the eye-catching beauty of Catherine de la Mare penstemon. With its electrifying shades of blue, this compact penstemon variety brightens up any sunny garden spot.
Read on to learn all about growing and caring for Catherine de la Mare penstemon. Discover why this little powerhouse penstemon deserves a spot front and center in your landscape
Overview of Catherine de la Mare Penstemon
Catherine de la Mare is a compact, low-growing penstemon cultivar that typically reaches just 12-18 inches tall and 12-24 inches wide. It belongs to the diverse perennial genus Penstemon, which contains over 250 species.
This variety stands out for its abundant tubular blue blooms tinted with purple. The flowers have a charming two-lipped form typical of penstemons. Catherine de la Mare blooms heavily in late spring and will continue flowering intermittently into summer.
In addition to its vivid floral display, Catherine de la Mare also has attractive lance-shaped green foliage that remains evergreen in mild winter climates. The compact, mounding form creates a full, bushy plant perfect for border fronts.
Unique Hybrid Origins
Catherine de la Mare penstemon is a modern hybrid developed by British plantswoman Beth Chatto. It resulted from a cross between two North American native penstemon species: Penstemon digitalis and Penstemon ‘Dark Towers’.
The electric blue flower color comes from P. digitalis, while the compact size and prolonged bloom season are inherited from P. Dark Towers. The “Catherine de la Mare” name honors a friend of Beth Chatto who admired the new hybrid.
Growing Conditions
This penstemon variety is quite adaptable and easy to grow. Here are its main needs:
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Sun: Full sun is ideal, but light afternoon shade is tolerated. Needs at least 6 hours of direct sun daily.
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Soil: Average, well-draining soil. Avoid overly wet or dry soils.
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pH: Neutral to slightly alkaline soil pH between 6.5-7.5.
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Water: Moderate, even moisture. Allow soil to partly dry out between waterings.
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Hardiness: USDA zones 5-9. Winter hardy to -20°F.
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Size: Typically grows 12-18 inches tall and 12-24 inches wide.
How to Use in the Landscape
One of the best qualities of Catherine de la Mare is its compact, controlled size. This makes it perfect for:
- Edging beds, borders and pathways
- Containing within rock gardens
- Planting in small groupings or drifts near walkways
- Tucking into mixed container plantings
- Combining in pollinator and butterfly gardens
The electric blue flowers also look fantastic paired with warm-colored blooms like orange, red or yellow. Try combining with gaillardia, poppies, coral bells or daylilies.
Planting and Care Tips
Follow these tips to keep your Catherine de la Mare penstemon thriving:
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Plant in spring after the last frost. Space plants 12-18 inches apart.
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Prepare soil well by mixing in compost or aged manure before planting.
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Water new plantings regularly until established. Mature plants are quite drought tolerant.
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Shear plants back by 1/3 after initial spring flowering to encourage reblooming.
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Remove spent flower stems to maintain a tidy appearance.
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Mulch around plants to conserve soil moisture and suppress weeds.
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Fertilize lightly in early spring with a balanced organic fertilizer.
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Divide congested clumps every 2-3 years in spring to rejuvenate.
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Watch for slugs, snails and powdery mildew, and treat promptly if issues arise.
Propagation
Catherine de la Mare penstemon is easy to propagate by:
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Division: Divide clumps every few years in early spring. Replant divisions 12-15 inches apart.
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Cuttings: Take 3-4 inch tip cuttings in early summer. Dip in rooting hormone and plant in potting mix. Keep cuttings moist until rooted.
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Seed: Collect seeds in fall. Sow indoors 8-10 weeks before last spring frost. Seeds are slower to establish than divisions or cuttings.
Companion Planting Ideas
The compact size, long bloom period and blue coloring make Catherine de la Mare penstemon a wonderful companion for many other perennials, including:
- Catmint
- Coral Bells
- Bee Balm
- Russian Sage
- Lavender
- Salvia
- Veronica
- Blanket Flower
- Daylilies
- Coreopsis
- Purple Coneflower
Mix with early, mid and late season bloomers to create color in your garden from spring through fall. Catherine de la Mare also pairs beautifully with grasses, roses and many annuals.
Why Grow Catherine de la Mare Penstemon
Here are some of the top benefits of adding this petite penstemon to your garden:
- Long bloom season from late spring through summer
- Vivid electric blue flower color
- Attracts hummingbirds and pollinators
- Compact, mounding form ideal for borders and containers
- Tolerates heat, humidity and some drought once established
- Deer and rabbit resistant
- Hardy and relatively pest/disease free
- Low maintenance and easy care
For vivid, lasting color in a compact package, Catherine de la Mare penstemon is hard to beat. Add several of these beauties to your sunny borders and enjoy their luminous blue blooms lighting up your landscape.
Penstemon ‘Catherine de la mare’ and wildlife
Penstemon ‘Catherine de la mare’ is known for attracting bees. It has nectar/pollen rich flowers.
penstemon catherine de la mere
FAQ
How do you care for Catherine de la Mare Penstemon?
Where is the best place to plant penstemons?
Do Penstemon plants like sun or shade?
Are Penstemon plants invasive?
Who was Penstemon ‘Catherine de la Mare’?
Penstemon ‘Catherine de la Mare’ was named after Richard de la Mare’s wife. It was found in his garden in Hertfordshire, England, in the 1950’s, as recounted in David Way’s Gardener’s Guide to Growing Penstemon.
Is this California native Penstemon ‘Catherine de la Mare’?
This week we are featuring a gorgeous California native called Penstemon heterophyllus ‘Catherine de la Mare’. True to its common name ‘Foothill penstemon’, this plant decorates hillsides with tubular violet-blue blooms and glossy green lance-shaped foliage.
Do Penstemon ‘Catherine de la Mare’ attract bees?
Plants are tender so need to be protected over winter if they are to survive. If plants do survive, cut plants back to ground level in spring to promote fresh growth. Penstemon ‘Catherine de la mare’ is known for attracting bees. It has nectar/pollen rich flowers.
When does Penstemon ‘Catherine de la Mere’ flower?
Penstemon ‘Catherine de la Mere’ bears pretty, lilac blue, tubular, flowers from June to September. It’s ideal for growing at the front of a sunny border, or in pots on the patio. Plants are tender so need to be protected over winter if they are to survive. If plants do survive, cut plants back to ground level in spring to promote fresh growth.
What does Catherine de la Mare look like?
‘Catherine de la Mare’ is a spreading, woody-based, semi-evergreen perennial to 50cm tall, with dull, bluish-green leaves and dense racemes of purplish-blue flowers 3cm long, borne on reddish stems in summer Join the RHS today and save 25%