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Penstemon 'Raven'

raven penstemon

Plantaginaceae

Hybrid of garden origin (Mexican Penstemon species parentage; European garden hybrid)

Attracts Pollinators Attracts Hummingbirds Deer Resistant Drought Tolerant Container Friendly

SunFull Sun

WaterLow · drought-tolerant

HardinessZones 7–9

Overview

Penstemon 'Raven' is a semi-evergreen perennial reaching 24–36 inches (60–90 cm) tall with a spread of 18–24 inches (45–60 cm) and an upright bushy habit. This European hybrid penstemon opens dense one-sided racemes of tubular-to-bell-shaped flowers 1–1.5 inches (2.5–4 cm) long in deep purple to dark violet-purple coloration with a white-streaked throat from June through October with regular deadheading. Opposite lanceolate leaves run 2–5 inches (5–13 cm) long and dark green in color, with semi-evergreen foliage retention through mild winters. Growth rate runs moderate to fast. Hardy to zone 7. The cultivar carries the tallest mature stature among commonly cultivated European hybrid penstemons, and the 24-to-36-inch height positions 'Raven' as the cultivar to reach for where vertical presence is wanted in a mixed penstemon planting. Deep purple flower color runs separate from the maroon of 'Blackbird' and from the indigo-blue of 'Blue Midnight'. Tree lifespan runs short at 3–5 years, which is typical of the European hybrid penstemons.

Native Range

Penstemon 'Raven' is a hybrid of garden origin bred from crosses involving Mexican Penstemon spp. species. The cultivar emerged from the European breeding tradition that produced the majority of large-flowered hybrid penstemons in commercial cultivation, which trace their genetic base to Mexican Penstemon spp. species brought into European gardens during the 19th and 20th centuries.

Suggested Uses

Planted in perennial borders at 18–24 inch (45–60 cm) spacing in zone-7-and-warmer gardens. The cultivar supplies vertical presence at 24–36 inches mature height, which runs taller than most hybrid penstemons in commercial trade and fits the cultivar to back-of-border positions or as a rear-layer element in mixed perennial compositions. Deep purple flower color carries from June through October. Stem support may be needed in rich fertile soils where the tall stems elongate beyond structural capacity. Tree lifespan runs short at 3–5 years. Sharp drainage is essential. Wet soils, shade, and cold climates below zone 7 are poor fits for the cultivar.

How to Identify

Separated from 'Blackbird' by the deep purple flower color (versus the maroon-purple to near-black flowers of 'Blackbird') and by the slightly taller mature stature. Separated from 'Blue Midnight' by the purple flower tone (versus the blue-purple to indigo flowers of 'Blue Midnight'). Separated from 'Garnet' by the purple flower color (versus the wine-red to garnet flowers of 'Garnet'). The tallest penstemon cultivar in common hybrid-penstemon cultivation with deep purple flowers and white-streaked throat identifies this cultivar.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height2' - 3'

Width/Spread1'6" - 2'

Reaches mature size in approximately 2 years

Colors

Flower Colors

purple

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

no change

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~14 weeks

Summer Fall

Dense one-sided racemes of tubular-to-bell-shaped flowers 1–1.5 inches (2.5–4 cm) long open in deep purple to dark violet-purple coloration with a white-streaked throat from June through October with regular deadheading. Fresh bloom duration runs 12–16 weeks.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Deep purple to dark violet-purple with white-streaked throat; tubular-bell 1-1.5 inches; June-October

Foliage Description

Dark green; lanceolate 2-5 inches; opposite arrangement; semi-evergreen foliage retention

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun

Requires 6-10 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 7.5(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam sand

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

1 year

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Full sun in well-drained lean to average soil (pH 6.0–7.5) matches the cultivar's cultivation needs. Hardy to zone 7 (0°F / −18°C). Sharp drainage is essential because wet winter conditions cause crown rot and shorten the cultivar's garden lifespan. The tall stature may need physical support in rich fertile soils where stems elongate beyond their structural capacity. Late-summer stem cuttings serve as insurance against winter losses because the cultivar's 3-to-5-year lifespan means regular replacement planting is needed to maintain garden presence.

Pruning

Spent flower racemes are deadheaded through the bloom window to extend flowering into autumn. Cutback of roughly one-third occurs in early spring rather than autumn because autumn cutback removes the semi-evergreen stem structure that supports winter survival.

Pruning Schedule

early spring