Penstemon Polaris Red

Description and Characteristics

Penstemon ‘Polaris Red’ is a vibrant, compact herbaceous perennial known for its brilliant red tubular flowers and extended flowering season. Part of the Polaris series, which is bred for uniformity, strong branching, and early blooming, this variety brings reliable colour to beds, borders, and containers from early summer through autumn.

The flowers are a striking scarlet-red, sometimes with a subtle paler throat, and are highly attractive to bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds (in suitable climates). Blooms are borne on upright stems above a base of lance-shaped, dark green foliage, creating a tidy, bushy habit that stays compact at around 30–45 cm in height and 25–35 cm spread.

Unlike some older Penstemon cultivars, the Polaris series is more floriferous, compact, and tidy, making it ideal for urban gardens, patio containers, and small borders where colour and ease of care are key.

• Compact perennial with intensely red tubular flowers

• Height: 30–45 cm; Spread: 25–35 cm

• Flowering period: June to October

• Upright, bushy form with deep green foliage

• Ideal for containers, borders, pollinator gardens, and cut flower displays

• Attracts bees and butterflies

Growing Conditions and Maintenance

Penstemon ‘Polaris Red’ is a low-maintenance, drought-tolerant perennial that performs best in sunny, free-draining positions. It benefits from light feeding and deadheading to prolong its flowering season.

• Light Requirements:

  • Prefers full sun (6+ hours daily)

  • Tolerates light shade, especially in hotter climates, though flowering may reduce

• Soil Preferences:

  • Thrives in light, well-drained soil

  • Tolerates sandy, loamy, or chalky soils

  • Avoid heavy, poorly drained or compacted soils—improve drainage with grit if needed

• Watering Needs:

  • Water regularly during establishment

  • Once established, it is moderately drought-tolerant

  • Avoid overwatering, particularly in cooler seasons

• Feeding:

  • Feed in spring with a general-purpose fertiliser

  • Container plants benefit from a monthly liquid feed during summer

• Deadheading and Pruning:

  • Deadhead regularly to encourage continuous blooming

  • Cut back flowering stems after the first flush to promote reblooming

  • In late autumn or early spring, cut back old growth to just above the base

• Winter Care:

  • Hardy in mild to moderate climates (RHS H4, down to approx. -5°C to -10°C)

  • In colder areas, mulch around the base in late autumn for root protection

  • Alternatively, treat as a long-season bedding plant and replant annually in frosty areas

Garden Uses, Companion Plants, and Pollinator Benefits

Penstemon ‘Polaris Red’ is a versatile and colourful addition to summer gardens, offering height, bold colour, and pollinator value with very little maintenance. Its compact form makes it perfect for smaller spaces and mixed combinations.

• Design Applications:

  • Ideal for borders, cottage gardens, rockeries, and modern mixed plantings

  • Perfect for containers and patio displays

  • Excellent in pollinator gardens, Mediterranean-style gardens, or cut flower beds

• Companion Plants:

  • Pair with Nepeta, Salvia, Coreopsis, Gaura, Achillea, and Scabiosa

  • Works well with grasses like Festuca or Stipa for texture contrast

  • Complements silver or burgundy foliage plants like Heuchera or Artemisia

• Pollinator Support:

  • Flowers are rich in nectar and attract bees, butterflies, and hoverflies

  • Tubular blooms are especially favoured by long-tongued bees

  • An excellent component of wildlife-friendly and sustainable planting schemes

• Container Use:

  • Grows well in terracotta pots, window boxes, or raised planters

  • Use a free-draining compost mix with added grit

  • Deadhead frequently and feed monthly for best performance

• Pest and Disease Resistance:

  • Generally resistant to pests and diseases

  • Watch for slugs and snails on young plants in spring

  • Ensure good air circulation to prevent mildew in humid conditions

• Size
  2L

We currently only deliver within the island of Ireland, other countries can be quoted for by contacting [email protected] or via telephone on 06964084
 

Standard Delivery is FREE on orders over €250*

All standard deliveries will be completed within 5-7 working days via Fastway Couriers, any delay to this delivery time, the customer will be notified by One of our staff.

The in-Store delivery charge will vary compared with online, in-store delivery charge is done on a case by case basis. 

* Only mainland Ireland addresses qualify for free delivery.
 

Live Plants Delivery

Our live plants are packed with care and diligence by our staff, our horticulturists review each plant before despatch to ensure quality is maintained.
Live Plant delivery charges are not calculated on weight but on the space required per package to ensure safe delivery, so delivery charges may vary as some plants require more space than others when packed.
All live plants are despatched within 3-5 working days where possible, our couriers aim to deliver within 48 hours of despatch from our Garden Centre to allow the plant to arrive in healthy condition.
 

Click & Collect

Can’t wait for delivery? Why not try our FREE Click & Collect service? Simply make your purchase online and collect it from our store located in Croagh Co. Limerick. Our staff will contact you by phone when your order is ready for collection (Please allow 24 hours minimum). When collecting your item, call the store on 069-64084. We will then load into your car as required. This service is available in-store 9am – 6pm Monday – Saturday (No collections on Sundays)

Click here for more information about our shipping conditions.

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If you have any further questions about the online order payment please contact us via ­069 640 84 or mail.