(Penstemon cobaea)
Bred in England, Wedding Bells offers large, satiny, bell-shaped flowers blooming profusely on 18-24 inch flower stalks over glossy green foliage. Pollinators, hummingbirds and butterflies all visit regularly. You’ll have both solid and patterned flowers in lavender, coral, rose, violet and cream. Cut for bouquets, these long-lasting flowers seem to arrange themselves. Once established these compact plants are extremely weather tolerant. This species boasts the largest flowers of any penstemon.

 

PERENNIAL

Spring/Summer bloom
Hardy to zone 4

 

BEST TO START INDOORS

Start indoors in early spring, spacing seeds 1/2–1 inch apart in a container of seed starting mix. Cover very lightly, no more than 1/8 inch deep and keep evenly moist but not soggy as germination takes 14 to 28 days. Provide a strong light source for seedlings.

Once seedlings are large enough to handle, transplant to a deeper flat 3 inches apart or individual 3 or 4 inch pots. When plants are several inches tall, gradually acclimate to outdoor conditions, then plant in full sun 10 to 12 inches apart into fertile well-drained soil.

TO START OUTDOORS

Sow in a well-protected, fine textured seed bed once frost danger is past. Cover seeds very lightly with fine soil and keep evenly moist until germination occurs. Tend the tiny seedlings carefully and when large enough to handle, thin or transplant 8 to 10 inches apart.

GROWING NOTES

Wedding Bells often bloom the first year from seed. Given good drainage, these strong plants will continue to flower beautifully throughout each spring and summer. Their lovely colors make beautiful natural bouquets and they are long-lasting and alluring cut flowers. Plants are hot weather tolerant once established.

Seed Count: 30-35 / Weight: 0.013 gms